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Instead, you have to use docker-machine and attach to a VirtualBox VM on your system. And since Docker uses Linux-specific tools you can’t run it natively. You have to download it, install a bunch of tools and dependencies for it to work. StackOverflow Developer Survey 2016 Current State of AffairsĬurrently, to use Docker on Mac and Windows requires the use of Docker Toolbox. In 2016, Mac OS X took the top spot with 26.2 percent, Windows 7 at second spot with 22.5 percent and Linux commanded 21.7 percent. In 2013 Windows 7 held the top position with 48 percent, Linux with 19.9 percent and Mac OS X was in the third spot with 18.7 percent. The latest Survey by Stack Overflow states that Mac OS X has become the top platform for developer machines.
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The release seems to have come at a right time. These integrated software packages are designed to remove an additional layer of ‘dependency hell’ for Mac and Windows developers by allowing them to develop directly inside a container.”
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“Docker for Mac and Windows reflects deep OS system-level work from our Unikernel Systems team and demonstrates how, moving forward, we can leverage native platform capabilities to provide users with the same optimized Docker experience on all platforms,” said Solomon Hykes, Docker founder, chief technology officer and chief product officer. The bottom line is that Mac and Windows users can enjoy faster Docker-driven iteration cycles because their code changes can be tested instantaneously on the laptop without the need to build the Docker application image first. While users could previously use Docker on Windows and Mac, the packages remove additional layers of dependencies and offer native, tightly integrated user experience. Docker can now be installed as a native Windows or native Mac app, launched and utilized from a system toolbar just like any other packaged application. Docker has launched a beta of Docker for Mac and Docker for Windows, two software packages that represent significant software architecture changes made to optimize Docker for an OS-native experience.
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