What Is Tag In Docker?

Now one can hardly say it otherwise, Docker has become the leader, the life-changing technology that has introduced novel ways not only of software creation, but also distribution and administration. The notion of label is a key concept of Docker where the tags aptly perform the task of versioning and taking care of Docker images. Tags allow users to distinguish multiple instances of the same image as well as to make the process of deploying updated versions of the image efficient as well. If you are somebody who works with containerized applications, then it is very important for you to know the tags of Docker as these tags will allow you to maintain image versions for your Docker workflows.

Understanding Of Primary Terminologies

• Docker Image: A Docker image is a lightweight, self-contained, executable Docker container including all that is necessary to run an application of software, view code, runtime, libraries, environment variables, and configuration files.
• Tag: A tag is actually a label that is reserved for a particular version of a user-defined Docker image. The feature removes the need for someone to sift through numerous variants of the same file and allows users to select the exact image they need from a variety of choices.
• Repository: The Docker repository is a set of Docker images tied together with the remote Docker image. Usually, it is a single application or service that exists in different versions or configurations.

What Are Tags?

Labels are used to help index a repository's images. They behave similarly to a semantic version of the image, through which the user can select the version of the image they want to use. Representing the set of tag=value pairs as a name-value pair list with colons being the separator.

For Example:

• If the image doesn’t have a particular tag Docker by default will access the latest image.

Examples For Docker Tag

Let's explore a basic example of how tags work in Docker :

Example 1: Pull an Image

Commence the process by using the docker pull command to retrieve a picture from a repository.

Example 2: View Available Tags

You will be able to see the existing tags for an image eiter using the Docker Hub website, or by executing the docker images command.

Example 3: Pull Specific Tag

For drawing out a particular tag from an image, write it when you are pulling as in, i.e. --tag brings out the tag you want.

Example 4: Use Tagged Image:

Add the tag to the newly created image, and this tag can now be used in the Docker containers or Dockerfiles.

docker build -t myimage:v1 

Conclusion

Tags are tags of Docker and the management and deployment of containerized applications using these tags is facilitated by the user with great precision and efficiency. This way, developers and support staff trained as DevOps professionals will have no problems with the tag comprehension that will lead to smooth version control and fewer things to deal with during the deployment and enhanced collaboration within the team. Docker tagging is gaining more traction than ever in software industry; thus, gaining deep expertise of container tags become a must in a modern software developer.