𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 You use Docker to keep your environment consistent. But does it always work? The problem is not Docker. It's your project structure. When you have multiple Dockerfiles, it's easy to get different results. This can lead to a single repository with many similar environments that drift apart.
The Multi-Scenario Docker Pattern solves this problem. It's based on a simple idea: one runtime and multiple deployment scenarios. You keep your Dockerfile and base environment the same. Differences are only allowed at the scenario level.
A scenario is a self-contained unit for launching an environment. It includes:
- docker-compose.yml
- .env
- Makefile
- devcontainer.json
- additional scripts
All scenarios share the same runtime and resources. They only switch how the system is launched. This way, you avoid hidden differences between dev and prod.
The pattern provides:
- a single runtime for all scenarios
- explicit separation of launch scenarios
- isolation of dev tools from production
- centralized configuration
You can use this pattern with Docker or Podman. It's not tied to a specific container engine.
What's your go-to pattern for keeping Docker behavior consistent? Share your experience in the comments. Source: https://dev.to/outcomer/the-multi-scenario-docker-pattern-how-to-build-a-reproducible-docker-environment-for-any-conditions-aho Optional learning community: https://github.com/outcomer/multi-scenario-docker-pattern