Learn packaging

Learn how to create, store and deploy packages (e.g. .rpm or .deb) for your Linux distribution of choice.

E.g., compared to Docker

Writing a recipe to build a .deb is not much different than writing a Dockerfile. The result is easier to manipulate though (e.g. share packages on a static web server, package managers are made to list available updates, apply them, show package details, …).

If you’re a Docker user, you may need to provision your host machine with docker-engine, but also with your own configuration files and scripts. Packages can also create the right directories and permissions before hand.

Most Dockerfile will use apt install or apk add to add packages to an image. In effect you rely on traditional package managers. Haven’t you ever wished you had your own apt cache to avoid breacking a docker build while your Debian mirror was down ?

Related: Static binaries