JavaScript (Node.js) and Docker: Application Containerization

This book is a comprehensive practical guide to integrating the Node.js ecosystem with Docker technology. You will learn how to turn any JavaScript application into a lightweight, isolated, and portable container that can be run on any machine — from a developer's laptop to a production server.

The book is structured on the principle of "from simple to complex." Starting with basic Docker concepts (images, containers, Dockerfile), you will quickly move on to real-world scenarios: creating multi-stage builds to reduce image size, working with volumes for data storage, configuring networks and environment variables. Special attention is paid to typical problems faced by Node.js developers: dependency management, process handling, logging, and debugging inside a container.

You will learn:

• How to create an optimal Dockerfile for Express, Fastify, NestJS, and other frameworks
• Principles of working with Docker Compose to run a full stack (Node.js + database + queue)
• Methods for ensuring container security and managing secrets
• How to set up a CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions for automatic builds and deployment
• Basics of orchestration: an introduction to Docker Swarm and Kubernetes for scaling
• Testing containerized applications and monitoring in production

The book is intended for JavaScript and Node.js developers who want to master modern DevOps practices. It is suitable both for beginners taking their first steps in containerization and for experienced programmers seeking to systematize their knowledge. A basic understanding of Node.js and the command line is sufficient for reading — all Docker concepts are explained from scratch.

After studying the material, you will be able to independently package any Node.js projects into Docker, configure their flexible configuration, automate deployment, and ensure reliable operation in a production environment. This is a skill that is essential today for every backend developer to create modern, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems.

Each chapter contains practical assignments and ready-to-use code examples that can be immediately applied in your work. The source code for all examples is available in the book's repository.