---
title: "Mainframe Vs Docker Top Differences"
description: "Docker is an open standards platform, and it is shippable to any device. Create once use that image to develop your applications. Useful for legacy programmers."
url: https://srinimf.com/2018/12/08/undesratnd-docker-useful-for-legacy-programmers/
date: 2018-12-08
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/pexels-photo-221164.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["Docker"]
tags: ["Docker Vs Mainframe differences", "Virtual machine Vs Docker"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Mainframe Vs Docker Top Differences

You can ask a question as ” Hey I am mainframe programmer, and I do not know about Docker, can you tell me about it?” Not only you, but there are many others like you.

I have written this post to make it useful for mainframe developers.

## The Mainframe

In Mainframe, you can install software, build applications, and deploy into production. These are possible within the mainframe, and you cannot run these applications in another machine.

### How it works

- The mainframe has a ***limitation***, only it allows compatible software for Zos. 
- You need to develop ***in***and deploy ***there.***
- You cannot create **distributable** platforms.

#### The **distributable** means,

A platform developed once, and ***shippable*** to any device. One best example is,  a docker image you can use it on PC, the cloud, data center or a virtual machine.

## Where the Docker comes into the picture

- It is an [open standards](https://opensource.com/resources/what-are-open-standards)platform.
- Build, deploy and ship any platform. You can develop any application you want.
- The Docker images you can[run from mainframe using nodes](https://blog.docker.com/2017/09/docker-ee-on-ibm-z-mainframe/).

## Docker Image

In simple terms, packaging all the required software in one application is called Docker image. It is also called a portable platform.

## Docker image vs container

- Docker images created from docker file
- Docker images stored in Docker registry (Docker hub)
- Docker images can be downloaded with PULL command
- Docker images are not executable
- Docker container create from images

Related[Docker: Client, Daemon, Hub and Registry](https://srinimf.com/2020/11/18/4-components-of-docker-engine-architecture/)

### Why Docker You Need

1. You can create a Docker Image and use it on any device or platform.
2. **Docker image** is an executable platform
3. Using **Dockerfile** you can create Docker Image. The Dockerfile is ***not executable.***

Related[Docker Container These Questions Helpful for Interviews](https://srinimf.com/2018/12/25/docker-top-interview-questions/)

## Docker Vs Virtual Machine

You may ask a question when the virtual machine is there why Docker is needed. 

- Docker image run in a Docker container. You can install “n” number of containers in one operating system (os).
- Virtual machine runs on a separate guest OS.
- Docker container has its own file system. All the containers work independently. 
- Possible that Docker containers can communicate with each other.

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