What Docker Compose version should I use?

Modern Docker Compose (v2) no longer requires a version field. If you include one, version: '3.8' is widely compatible.

How do containers communicate?

Docker Compose creates a network for all services. Containers reach each other by service name: the web service connects to the database at db:5432.

What is the difference between volumes and bind mounts?

Named volumes are Docker-managed and persist data reliably. Bind mounts map host directories into containers, useful for development but less portable.

Should I use Docker Compose in production?

For simple deployments, yes. For complex production systems, consider Kubernetes or a managed container service. Docker Compose is excellent for development and small-scale production.

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