In this article, we explore the difference between docker attach and docker exec. Both docker attach and docker exec are used to explore the docker container.
Docker exec creates a new process in the container’s environment while docker attach just connects the standard input/output of the main process inside the container to corressponding standard input/output error of the current terminal.
Docker exec is used specifically for running new tasks or process in an already running or started container, be it a shell or some other process.
Difference between docker exec and docker attach
In the above snap, we have used docker attach to access the running container on same standard input/output.
In the above snap, we have used docker exec to access the container2
Conclusion:
Both docker exec and docker attach are used to connect or access the container but only difference is that docker exec creates a differrent process to access the container whereas docker attach connects to the same standard input/out or the same terminal. To explore more about docker components, please refer Docker documentation.
