Easy Steps To Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8

In this guide, we aim to provide you with the knowledge to Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8. Docker Compose is a powerful tool designed to simplify the management of multi-container Docker applications. By utilizing Compose, you can define all the services your application needs in a single YAML file, enabling you to spin them up and tear them down with a single, concise command. This significantly streamlines the development, testing, and deployment processes.

You can now follow the guide steps below to Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8.

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• You must be logged into your AlmaLinux 8 server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. If you haven’t configured this already, please refer to a guide on setting up initial server configurations with AlmaLinux 8.
• Docker must be installed on your server. If Docker is not already installed, consult a guide on how to install Docker on AlmaLinux 8 before proceeding.

With these prerequisites met, you can now follow the steps outlined below to successfully Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8 and create a sample Docker Compose file to verify its functionality.

1. Docker Compose Setup on AlmaLinux 8

First, verify your Docker installation to confirm that Docker is running correctly by checking its version:

docker --version

Download Docker Compose Binary

The next step involves downloading the Docker Compose binary. Navigate to the GitHub Docker Compose release page and identify the latest stable release. Then, use the curl command to download the binary package directly to your server:

sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/v2.17.2/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

This command downloads the appropriate Docker Compose binary for your system architecture and saves it to the /usr/local/bin directory.

Docker Compose File Permission

After downloading the binary, it’s essential to set the correct permissions to allow the system to execute the Docker Compose binary. Use the following command to grant execute permissions:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

Verify Docker Compose Installation

To confirm that Docker Compose has been installed successfully, check its version:

sudo docker compose version

A successful installation will display the installed Docker Compose version.

2. How To Use Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8?

Now that Docker Compose is installed, let’s test its functionality with a simple Docker container.

Begin by creating a new directory to house your docker-compose file:

mkdir compose-test

Navigate to the newly created directory:

cd compose-test

Within this directory, create a docker-compose.yml file. This file serves as the configuration blueprint for your multi-container application, specifying services, port bindings, networks, environment variables, and volumes.

You can create the file using the following command or your preferred text editor:

sudo vi docker-compose.yml

Add the following basic configuration for a hello-world container based on the latest hello-world image:

version: '2'
services:
   hello-world:
      image:
         hello-world:latest

Save and close the file.

Next, launch the container within the compose-test directory using the following command:

sudo docker compose up

If the installation and configuration were successful, the output will indicate that Docker Compose is working correctly on your AlmaLinux 8 system.

3. Uninstall Docker Compose From AlmaLinux 8 (Optional)

If, for any reason, you need to uninstall Docker Compose from your system, follow these steps:

First, remove the docker-compose binary package:

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

Uninstall the Docker Compose software itself:

sudo dnf remove docker-compose

Finally, remove any unneeded software dependencies:

sudo dnf autoremove

Conclusion

This guide has walked you through the process to Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8. By following these steps, you can leverage the power of Docker Compose to simplify the management of multi-container applications.

For further exploration and additional guides, visit the AlmaLinuxTutorials Center.

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• Docker Management on AlmaLinux 8 with Portainer
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Alternative Installation Methods

While the above method details installing Docker Compose by downloading the binary directly, there are alternative approaches that can be equally effective, depending on your preferences and system configuration. Here are two different methods to achieve the same goal: to Install Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8.

1. Using the Python Package Manager (pip)

Docker Compose is also available as a Python package, which can be installed using pip, the package installer for Python. This method is particularly useful if you already have Python and pip configured on your system. Note: This method might install an older version of Docker Compose compared to the direct binary download method.

Prerequisites:

• Python 3 and pip must be installed on your AlmaLinux 8 system. If not, you can install them using:

  sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

Installation Steps:

1. Install Docker Compose using pip:

   sudo pip3 install docker-compose

2. Verify the installation:

   docker-compose --version

   Important Note: You might encounter an error stating that the docker-compose command is not found. This is often because the pip installation directory is not in your system’s PATH. You can either add the directory to your PATH or create a symbolic link to /usr/local/bin.

   Adding to PATH (Temporary):

   export PATH="$PATH:/home/$USER/.local/bin"

   This change is only temporary and will be lost when you close the terminal.

   Creating a Symbolic Link (Permanent):

   First, find the exact path where docker-compose was installed:

   pip3 show docker-compose | grep Location

   Then, create the symbolic link:

   sudo ln -s /path/to/docker-compose /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

   Replace /path/to/docker-compose with the actual location found in the previous step.

   After creating the symbolic link, verify the installation again.

Advantages:

• Simple if you already have Python and pip set up.
• Uses the standard Python package management system.

Disadvantages:

• Might install an older version of Docker Compose.
• May require additional steps to configure the PATH or create a symbolic link.
• Relies on Python and pip being correctly configured.

2. Using a Distribution-Specific Package Manager (if available)

Some Linux distributions might provide Docker Compose packages through their own package managers. While AlmaLinux 8 doesn’t directly offer a docker-compose package in its default repositories, it’s worth checking if any third-party repositories provide it.

Checking for Available Packages:

sudo dnf search docker-compose

If a package is found, you can install it using:

sudo dnf install <package_name>

Replace <package_name> with the name of the package found in the search results.

Advantages:

• Leverages the distribution’s native package management system.
• Potentially simpler installation process.

Disadvantages:

• Availability depends on the distribution and configured repositories.
• Package might not be the latest version.
• Less control over the installation location.

Choosing the Right Method:

The best method for installing Docker Compose on AlmaLinux 8 depends on your specific needs and environment. The direct binary download method ensures you have the latest version and provides the most control over the installation. The pip method is convenient if you already use Python, but may require additional configuration steps. The distribution-specific package manager method, if available, can be the simplest, but may not offer the latest version. Choose the method that best aligns with your preferences and system configuration. Regardless of the method chosen, following the verification steps is crucial to ensure a successful installation of Docker Compose on your AlmaLinux 8 system. With Docker Compose installed, you’re well-equipped to manage and deploy multi-container applications with ease.