Previously, we used the command `COPY . .` to copy all files from the directory of our project to our container. However, it's not always necessary to copy all files, for example, the `venv` folder, database files, or files created by your development environment (e.g., `.idea`). To avoid copying such files, we use a `.dockerignore` file.

A __Dockerignore file__ is a configuration file that tells __Docker__ which files and folders should not be included in the __Docker__ image build context. It allows you to specify which files or folders to __ignore__ during the image creation process, helping to reduce the size of the image and keep it clean from unnecessary or temporary files. Each line in this file contains a pattern that specifies which files or folders to exclude.

### Task

1) Create a `.dockerignore` file in the project's root directory.
2) Add the `venv` folder to the `.dockerignore` file.

This course is designed for Python developers looking to master Docker for efficient application containerization. You will learn how to create and configure Dockerfiles, optimize images, and use Docker Compose. The course covers Docker basics, container and network management, container security, and access control. It is ideal for Python developers who want to enhance the development and deployment efficiency of their Python applications.

In this section, we'll explore the fundamental concepts of Docker - a powerful tool for managing containers. Understanding these concepts will help you gain a deeper insight into how Docker works and how to effectively utilize it in your software development and deployment processes.

This section will guide you step by step through the process of creating your first Dockerfiles - text files that contain instructions for automating the building of Docker images. You will learn how to create a Dockerfile for your application, including defining the base image, adding necessary components, configuring the environment, and installing dependencies.

The section titled "Docker for Flask Developers" offers an in-depth exploration of utilizing Docker for developing web applications based on the Flask framework for Python. In this section, you'll learn how to effectively use Docker to create, deploy, and manage Flask applications in an isolated and scalable container environment.

This section delves into Docker Compose, a tool designed to simplify the management of multi-container Docker applications. By utilizing Docker Compose, users can define and run multi-container Docker applications with ease, streamlining the process of container orchestration.

Docker for Python Developers

Dockerignore File

Task