How to Run "julia" In Docker - Tutorial
Exact Steps and Docker Tips & Ticks
Learn how to run julia docker containers with simple and easy to follow, step by step instructions.
We also cover docker tips/tricks, docker logs, docker run commands and more.
We split this tutorial into two sections, the Quick Docker Instructions and Detailed Docker Instructions for running julia in docker.
Quick Docker Instructions
Docker Cheatsheet style commands as these are some of the most often used docker commands for julia. Be sure to bookmark this tutorial, as you will find that these docker commands become very useful as you start your journey with running and maintaining julia in Docker.Detailed Docker Instructions
If this is the first time, you're running julia in Docker, please follow the detailed instructions, which explains what each command does. We made this Tutorial to be flexible and will work even if some details change with julia version/image. Which is why, we have specified commands to display available Ports, Volumes and Environment variables so you can always check what's available in the julia image before running the commands.Quick Docker Steps/Tricks:
Step 1
docker run -d --name julia1 julia:latest
Step 2
docker ps --filter name=julia1
Step 3
docker inspect julia1 | grep -A12 "State"
Step 4
docker logs julia1
Step 5
docker inspect -f "{{ .Config.ExposedPorts }}" julia1
Step 6
docker inspect -f "{{ .Config.Volumes }}" julia1
Step 7
docker inspect julia1 | grep -A50 "Env"
Step 8
docker stop julia1
Step 9
docker start julia1
Step 10
docker pause julia1
Step 11
docker unpause julia1
Step 12
docker exec -it julia1 /bin/sh
Step 13
docker commit julia1 my-custom-julia1:latest
Step 14
docker rm -f julia1
Step 15
docker rmi -f julia
Step 16
All of these are important and docker commands used most often. However, it does take a lot of manual work to run and maintain docker apps. If you're planning on using docker more often, we suggest to use ZoomAdmin to create/deploy and maintain docker apps.
ZoomAdmin is a cloud-cloud based control panel that allows you to easily deploy docker apps on to your own servers, map domain names to apps, create SSL Certificates and much more.
Check out ZoomAdmin Features for list of features and demo videos. And you can start with the Free Plan.
ZoomAdmin is a cloud-cloud based control panel that allows you to easily deploy docker apps on to your own servers, map domain names to apps, create SSL Certificates and much more.
Check out ZoomAdmin Features for list of features and demo videos. And you can start with the Free Plan.
Execute the docker commands for julia above step by step on as needed basis.
You can simply hit the copy button to copy the command and paste into the command line interface.
Note: see the details for each line below. docker rm commands will delete/remove the julia app. Be sure to read and understand what each line does below.
Note: see the details for each line below. docker rm commands will delete/remove the julia app. Be sure to read and understand what each line does below.
Detailed Instructions:
Step 1
This command will get the latest version of julia and run it.
-d option runs it in the background, so you don't need to keep your ssh session open. And
--name will name the container julia1. This is useful because all future commands will use the container name to interact this this container. Otherwise, you'd need to use randomly generated container id.
Note: We're simply running the barebone version of julia container with below command, after which, we will use the commands bellow to learn more about the julia docker container and then we'll be able to come-up with the final command to run based on our needs, to spin-up a properly configured julia container.
-d option runs it in the background, so you don't need to keep your ssh session open. And
--name will name the container julia1. This is useful because all future commands will use the container name to interact this this container. Otherwise, you'd need to use randomly generated container id.
Note: We're simply running the barebone version of julia container with below command, after which, we will use the commands bellow to learn more about the julia docker container and then we'll be able to come-up with the final command to run based on our needs, to spin-up a properly configured julia container.
docker run -d --name julia1 julia:latest
Step 2
Now that we ran the command to run the container, we need to check its status.
This command will only display the status for julia1 container.
Run docker ps without the filter, to display all running containers on the system.
This command will only display the status for julia1 container.
Run docker ps without the filter, to display all running containers on the system.
docker ps --filter name=julia1
Step 3
There is another way to check the status/state of the container and that's with docker inspect.
Sometimes, if the container exits or crashes, they may not be listed with docker ps, unless you do docker ps --all
But use the this docker inspect command to get more details on julia1 container status.
But use the this docker inspect command to get more details on julia1 container status.
docker inspect julia1 | grep -A12 "State"
Step 4
One of the most frequently docker command used is docker logs.
docker logs command is used to retrieve the logs output from the container. If there are any errors or issues or to check on the console output from the container, use the docker logs command.
Use the docker logs command below to display the logs for julia1 container.
docker logs command is used to retrieve the logs output from the container. If there are any errors or issues or to check on the console output from the container, use the docker logs command.
Use the docker logs command below to display the logs for julia1 container.
docker logs julia1
Step 5
In most cases, docker containers must expose a port so that it can be mapped with host machine's ports. This allows for interact with container app from outside the container.
julia documentation should show which ports are exposed, however, the most reliable way is for you to check the exposed ports directly from the running container. Use the command below to displays the exposed ports, which you can then use to map with host computer's ports.
julia documentation should show which ports are exposed, however, the most reliable way is for you to check the exposed ports directly from the running container. Use the command below to displays the exposed ports, which you can then use to map with host computer's ports.
docker inspect -f "{{ .Config.ExposedPorts }}" julia1
Step 6
Docker Volumes are also essential for running docker containers in production. Essentially, they allow you to map host computer's folder directly inside container. This helps with maintaining state or data of the container.
For instance, if julia1 container crashes for any reason, the data produced by this app will be lost. The solution is to use Volumes so that even if the container crashes, the data will reside outside of the container, hence, it will be preserved.
To properly use Volumes, they must be configured by the creators of the docker image, in this case, by julia image creators. The best way to find the available volumes already configured in julia1 container is by using the command below. Which will list the available volumes for you to use and potentially map with host computer's directories.
For instance, if julia1 container crashes for any reason, the data produced by this app will be lost. The solution is to use Volumes so that even if the container crashes, the data will reside outside of the container, hence, it will be preserved.
To properly use Volumes, they must be configured by the creators of the docker image, in this case, by julia image creators. The best way to find the available volumes already configured in julia1 container is by using the command below. Which will list the available volumes for you to use and potentially map with host computer's directories.
docker inspect -f "{{ .Config.Volumes }}" julia1
Step 7
Environment Variables are also an essential part of docker containers. In fact, it is a best practice to use Environment Variables for any dynamic configuration options. This includes, important settings, usernames, password, database connection settings and so on.
julia docker documentation should explain the available Environment Variables for julia image. However, it's sometimes best to just check and see what are all available and configured Env Variables for julia1 container.
Use the commands below to display all configured Environment Variables for julia1 container and their default values if any. I usually like using the first command, as the result is well formatted, but it's not as precise and may include extra json. Use both options when not sure.
julia docker documentation should explain the available Environment Variables for julia image. However, it's sometimes best to just check and see what are all available and configured Env Variables for julia1 container.
Use the commands below to display all configured Environment Variables for julia1 container and their default values if any. I usually like using the first command, as the result is well formatted, but it's not as precise and may include extra json. Use both options when not sure.
docker inspect julia1 | grep -A50 "Env"
docker inspect -f "{{ .Config.Env }}" julia1
Step 8
Docker Stop command is used to shutdown a container, it's like shutting down the computer. However, it is not removed and data/configuration is maintained, you can start the container when needed.
Stopping a container also removes it from some of the default places shown, i.e. if you do docker ps, it will not show there by default anymore.
Stopping a container also removes it from some of the default places shown, i.e. if you do docker ps, it will not show there by default anymore.
docker stop julia1
Step 9
Docker Start will start the container, just like the name suggests. It's self-explanatory and you can use the command below.
docker start julia1
Step 10
Docker Pause command does not stop the container, instead it suspends all processes on julia1 container, and it's much quicker to UnPause it and get it running again.
docker pause julia1
Step 11
Docker UnPause will simply un-pause our julia1 container and make it run again.
docker unpause julia1
Step 12
One of the most important and useful features of docker containers is being able to get shell access to the container. Once you get the shell access, you can directly interact with the container.
This is one of the most often used features because often, you'll need to go into the shell of the container and run commands, install additional software, change configuration, look at logs, etc.
Just keep in mind, if you install or change anything inside the container outside of the Volume folders, you will lose those changes if the container crashes or when you re-deploy it. Essentially, by installing/altering the container, you have now modified it and have a custom container.
However, it's still a very useful command.
To get shell access to our julia1 container, run the command below.
This is one of the most often used features because often, you'll need to go into the shell of the container and run commands, install additional software, change configuration, look at logs, etc.
Just keep in mind, if you install or change anything inside the container outside of the Volume folders, you will lose those changes if the container crashes or when you re-deploy it. Essentially, by installing/altering the container, you have now modified it and have a custom container.
However, it's still a very useful command.
To get shell access to our julia1 container, run the command below.
docker exec -it julia1 /bin/sh
Step 13
In our prior Step, we discussed how julia container can be modified from the shell access. But what if you want to keep those changes that are not in the Volume folders.
There is a way to do that as well. Use the command below to essentially save the state of the julia1 container and give it a custom name, i.e. my-custom-julia1.
There is a way to do that as well. Use the command below to essentially save the state of the julia1 container and give it a custom name, i.e. my-custom-julia1.
docker commit julia1 my-custom-julia1:latest
Step 14
When you're doing with all your testing or want to remove/delete julia1 container, use the command below.
Docker rm will remove and delete the container and its contents/data.
If you have configured Volumes, this will NOT delete the volume data on host computer. This will only remove julia1 container.
Docker rm will remove and delete the container and its contents/data.
If you have configured Volumes, this will NOT delete the volume data on host computer. This will only remove julia1 container.
docker rm -f julia1
Step 15
Even if you remove/delete julia1 container with docker rm command, it will not delete the actual julia base image that was downloaded to be used for julia1. It caches it locally, so if you spin-up a second julia container, it wouldn't need to download the base image again.
But sometimes you need to also remove these to save space on the host computer. Use the command below to remove julia image.
But sometimes you need to also remove these to save space on the host computer. Use the command below to remove julia image.
docker rmi -f julia
Step 16
All of these are important and docker commands used most often. However, it does take a lot of manual work to run and maintain docker apps. If you're planning on using docker more often, we suggest to use ZoomAdmin to create/deploy and maintain docker apps.
ZoomAdmin is a cloud-cloud based control panel that allows you to easily deploy docker apps on to your own servers, map domain names to apps, create SSL Certificates and much more.
Check out ZoomAdmin Features for list of features and demo videos. And you can start with the Free Plan.
ZoomAdmin is a cloud-cloud based control panel that allows you to easily deploy docker apps on to your own servers, map domain names to apps, create SSL Certificates and much more.
Check out ZoomAdmin Features for list of features and demo videos. And you can start with the Free Plan.