## Summary:

The article delves into the evolution of container management, starting from its inception in the 1970s to its use in modern technology. It explores the concept of containers, emphasizing their role in packaging application code with libraries and dependencies. The article highlights Docker and Kubernetes as key players in the containerization market, detailing their functionalities and market shares. Additionally, it delves into various container use cases, such as microservices, DevOps, hybrid multicloud, and serverless applications. The article also discusses related solutions and different container types, distinguishing between system containers and application containers. IBM’s involvement in the containerization space and its services, particularly with Kubernetes, is also touched upon.

## Think within the Box: Examples, Applications, and Use Cases of Containers

Container management has undergone significant advancements over the years, evolving from its roots in the 1970s to the sophisticated technology utilized today. Containers, which encapsulate application code along with its dependencies, are crucial components allowing for code portability across various environments. This article explores the significance of containers in modern computing, focusing on their impact on workflows, runtimes, and continuous delivery across businesses of all sizes.

### What are Containers?

Containers function as self-contained software units that house application code, libraries, and dependencies. These units are standardized for universal deployment, whether on a desktop, traditional IT systems, or in the cloud. By leveraging OS virtualization techniques like Linux namespaces and cgroups, containers isolate processes and regulate resource access, including CPU, memory, and disk usage.

### Containers and Docker

In 2013, Docker revolutionized container technology, gaining immense popularity and market dominance. A 2021 survey by IBM revealed a substantial uptick in container adoption among businesses, with a significant proportion expected to integrate containers into future applications. Industries like machine learning, software development, and AI stand to benefit the most from containerization software.

### Docker and Kubernetes

Docker, as a versatile containerization platform, enables users to package applications and their dependencies into virtual containers suitable for diverse operating systems. On the other hand, Kubernetes, a prominent container orchestration platform, streamlines software deployment, scalability, and management. Docker commands a large market share, while Kubernetes specializes in automated deployment and container oversight.

### Container Use Cases

Containers find extensive applications in areas such as microservices, DevOps, hybrid multicloud environments, and serverless computing. Each use case leverages containers for different purposes, including efficient service deployment, software development, and cloud infrastructure scalability.

### Container Types

Two primary container types – system containers and application containers – cater to distinct container technologies. System containers support multiple processes for traditional and monolithic applications, while application containers focus on executing single-service applications.

### IBM and Containers

IBM offers container services powered by open-source technologies like Kubernetes, facilitating seamless containerization experiences for businesses at any stage of their operational cycles.

**FAQs**

**1. What are containers in computing?**
In computing, containers are self-contained units of software that package application code along with its dependencies, ensuring portability and consistent runtime across various environments.

**2. What is the difference between system containers and application containers?**
System containers support multiple processes concurrently and are ideal for managing traditional and monolithic applications. In contrast, application containers serve single-service applications by performing one specific executable action.