Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Docker VS pacman (package manager)

Compare Docker VS pacman (package manager) and see what are their differences

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Docker logo Docker

Docker is an open platform that enables developers and system administrators to create distributed applications.

pacman (package manager) logo pacman (package manager)

The pacman package manager is one of the major distinguishing features of ...
  • Docker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25
  • pacman (package manager) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-07

Docker

Website
docker.com
$ Details
Release Date
2013 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Solomon Hykes
Employees
50 - 99

Docker features and specs

  • Portability
    Docker containers are designed to run consistently across different environments such as development, testing, and production, ensuring that software behaves the same regardless of where it's deployed.
  • Efficiency
    Docker containers share the host OS kernel and use fewer resources compared to traditional virtual machines, which allows for faster startups and reduced overhead.
  • Isolation
    Containers encapsulate the application and its dependencies in a separate environment, which minimizes conflicts between different applications' dependencies.
  • Scalability
    Docker makes it easier to scale applications quickly and manage resource allocation dynamically, which is particularly useful for microservices architectures.
  • Continuous Integration and Deployment
    Docker facilitates CI/CD processes by making it easier to automate the deployment pipeline, resulting in faster code releases and more frequent updates.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    A vast community and a rich ecosystem of tools and pre-built images in Docker Hub, enabling you to quickly find and reuse code and solutions.

Possible disadvantages of Docker

  • Complexity
    While Docker can simplify certain aspects of deployment, it adds a layer of complexity to the infrastructure that might require specialized knowledge and training.
  • Security
    Containers share the host OS kernel, which can pose security risks if an attacker gains access to the kernel. Proper isolation and security measures must be implemented.
  • Persistent Data
    Managing persistent data in Docker can be challenging, as containers are ephemeral and the default storage solutions are not always suitable for all applications.
  • Monitoring and Debugging
    Traditional monitoring and debugging tools might not work well with containerized applications, requiring specialized tools and approaches which can complicate troubleshooting.
  • Performance Overhead
    Although lighter than virtual machines, Docker containers can still introduce performance overheads, especially when multiple containers are running simultaneously.
  • Compatibility
    Not all software and systems are fully compatible with Docker, which can limit its use in certain legacy applications and complex environments.

pacman (package manager) features and specs

  • Speed
    Pacman is known for its fast performance in handling package operations such as installation, updates, and removal.
  • Dependency Resolution
    Pacman handles dependencies automatically, ensuring that all required libraries and software are installed and up to date.
  • Simple Syntax
    It features a straightforward and easy-to-remember syntax for commands, making it user-friendly for both new and experienced users.
  • Rolling Release Model
    Pacman supports Arch Linux's rolling release model, providing users with the latest software versions without needing to upgrade to a new OS version.
  • AUR Support
    Pacman works well with the Arch User Repository (AUR) through tools like `yay` or `aurman`, giving users access to a vast collection of community-maintained packages.
  • Customizability
    The package manager is highly customizable, allowing users to configure it according to their preferences and needs.

Possible disadvantages of pacman (package manager)

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users might find Pacman difficult to use initially, especially if they are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
  • Less Handholding
    Unlike some other package managers, Pacman assumes a certain level of knowledge about the system, which can be daunting for beginners.
  • Manual Interventions
    Occasionally, updates might require manual interventions, which can be complex and require a good understanding of the underlying system.
  • No Graphical Interface
    Pacman lacks an official graphical user interface (GUI), which some users may find inconvenient.
  • Limited Official Repositories
    Although AUR provides an extensive range of packages, the official repositories are not as vast compared to some other distributions, potentially requiring users to rely on community packages.

Analysis of Docker

Overall verdict

  • Docker is considered a strong choice for containerization due to its robust feature set, community support, and ecosystem. It is praised for making applications more portable and for reducing 'it works on my machine' issues. However, like any technology, it has a learning curve and may not be necessary for simpler projects.

Why this product is good

  • Docker is a widely-used platform that simplifies and accelerates the process of developing, testing, and deploying applications by using containerization technology. It allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers that can run consistently across any environment. This greatly enhances efficiency, scalability, and collaboration within development teams.

Recommended for

  • Developers seeking to streamline application deployment across multiple environments
  • Teams looking for consistency in application performance and operations
  • Organizations that require scalable solutions for microservices architectures
  • Projects that benefit from CI/CD practices and need automation in deployment pipelines

Analysis of pacman (package manager)

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Pacman is considered a very good package manager, particularly for users who value a minimalist and efficient tool in managing software packages on a Linux system. Its speed, simplicity, and reliability make it a preferred choice for many Arch Linux users.

Why this product is good

  • Pacman is the default package manager for Arch Linux and its derivatives. It is renowned for its simplicity and speed in package management, offering a clear and concise command syntax. Pacman efficiently handles package updates, installations, and removals, keeping the system up to date with the latest software. Additionally, it has robust dependency management, ensuring all required dependencies are handled automatically during installations.

Recommended for

    Pacman is especially recommended for those who use Arch Linux or its derivatives, like EndeavourOS and Manjaro, as well as users who appreciate a hands-on approach to Linux and enjoy customizing their environment. It's well-suited for advanced Linux users who want more control over their system.

Docker videos

What is Docker in 5 minutes

More videos:

  • Tutorial - What is Docker? Why it's popular and how to use it to save money (tutorial)
  • Review - Real World PHP Dockerfile Review, from a #Docker Captain

pacman (package manager) videos

No pacman (package manager) videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Docker and pacman (package manager))
Developer Tools
93 93%
7% 7
Front End Package Manager
Containers As A Service
100 100%
0% 0
Package Manager
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Docker and pacman (package manager)

Docker Reviews

Exploring 7 Efficient Alternatives to MAMP for Local Development Environments
Though not specifically designed for PHP development, Docker offers a containerized approach to create, deploy, and run applications. It enables easy installation of PHP, web servers, and databases within containers, facilitating quick and consistent development environment setups.
Source: medium.com
Top 6 Alternatives to XAMPP for Local Development Environments
Docker - A containerization platform that allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into containers. Docker Compose can be used to define multi-container application stacks, including web servers, databases, and other services. Features powerful portability and consistency, supports rapid building, sharing, and container management, suitable for...
Source: dev.to
The Top 7 Kubernetes Alternatives for Container Orchestration
Docker uses images as templates to create new containers using Docker engine commands such as Build -t or run -d.
Kubernetes Alternatives 2023: Top 8 Container Orchestration Tools
Docker is an open-source platform for building, managing, deploying containerized applications. Swarm is a native feature in Docker with a group of virtual or physical machines that lets you schedule, cluster, and run Docker applications. It is a Docker alternative for Kubernetes that provides high portability, agility, and high availability.
Top 12 Kubernetes Alternatives to Choose From in 2023
Docker Swarm is a native clustering and orchestration solution provided by Docker, the leading containerization platform.
Source: humalect.com

pacman (package manager) Reviews

We have no reviews of pacman (package manager) yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Docker should be more popular than pacman (package manager). It has been mentiond 74 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Docker mentions (74)

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pacman (package manager) mentions (39)

  • Been thinking of switching to linux but I am a noob
    However, that "pacman -S" command has lots of switches (see section 1.1.1 ==> https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/pacman ). Source: over 1 year ago
  • How to build Software as a Service (SaaS) Notes application with mySQL/MariaDB and Apache in 300 lines of code
    Install Vely - you can use standard packaging tools such as apt, dnf, pacman or zypper. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Project on GitHub - Customizable Arch Linux Podman images based on the official Arch Linux Docker image
    Automatic installation of packages during building utilizes pacman and aurman with the supported "package sources" being:. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • A response to the Fedora 40 Privacy-Preserving Telemetry Proposal
    * Package management and DNF syntax usage are big topics. Follow the Arch Wiki example for the "pacman" package management tool ==> https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/pacman. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Could someone make a Decky plugin that automates installing common dependencies?
    Should be possible as the Arch distro SteamOS is built on includes pacman. Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Docker and pacman (package manager), you can also consider the following products

Kubernetes - Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers

Homebrew - The missing package manager for macOS

Rancher - Open Source Platform for Running a Private Container Service

Chocolatey - The sane way to manage software on Windows.

Portainer - Simple management UI for Docker

Conda - Binary package manager with support for environments.