Episode 9. Docker Interactive mode Python

→ For this application, we will set up a new Dockerfile. We will use Python as the base image.

→ The interactive mode feature is not limited to Python. Any programming language can be used

Interactive Mode:

Terminal having capability of taking input data or sending a message

→ Create a file named rng.py in your codebase.

rng.py

from random import randint
min_number = int(input('Please enter the min number: '))
max_number = int(input('Please enter the max number: '))
if (max_number < min_number):
print('Invalid input - shutting down...')
else:
rnd_number = randint(min_number, max_number)
print(rnd_number)

→ The above is a basic python code that accepts two numbers — min and max and output generates

→ Here we do not need a package file as we are not rendering on the web page

→ The terminal asks for two numbers and gives random results in the terminal itself.

→ Let us create a Dockerfile. We will be using python as the base image

Dockerfile:

FROM python
WORKDIR /app
COPY . /app
CMD ["python", "rng.py"]         // equivalent to python rng.py

Building the image:

→ We create the import the image from Docker Hub

docker build .

→ Normally when we run the server in a web browser, we run the below command

// Opens server in http://localhost:3000
docker run -p 3000:80 <docker-container-id>

→ For interactive normal mode, we add -it flags, since for this app.

→ For this application, we need not require a browser. In the code we have written terminal will for two numbers — mix and max and gives a random number between the two, so no need to add -p with port flag

docker run -it <docker-python-containerid>

→ Without -it flag terminal will crash, as it does not have input capabilities.

→ Terminal asks for the two input data (i.e. min and max number). Once we enter it, we get a random number between these two numbers in the terminal.

Video:

Closing Thoughts:

Docker is not only for web applications, it can also be used for terminal interactivity like this.

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