Dockerizing a Full Stack Web Application: Apache, PHP, MySQL

Introduction

Docker offers a seamless solution for containerizing full-stack web applications. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating Dockerfiles for Apache, PHP, and MySQL, providing a foundation for efficient development, testing, and deployment.

1. Choosing Base Images:
   Start by selecting suitable base images. For Apache and PHP, use the official images like php:7.4-apache. For MySQL, choose the official MySQL image. Ensure compatibility between versions to avoid potential issues.
2. Setting Up Dockerfile for Apache and PHP:
   Create a Dockerfile for Apache and PHP, leveraging a multi-stage build for optimization. Install necessary dependencies, enable required Apache modules, and configure the document root.

   # Stage 1: Build
   FROM php:7.4-apache as builder

   WORKDIR /var/www/html

   COPY . .

   # Install dependencies and configure Apache

   # Stage 2: Production
   FROM php:7.4-apache

   WORKDIR /var/www/html

   COPY --from=builder /var/www/html .

   # Additional configurations, if needed

3. Configuring PHP and Apache:
   Adjust PHP and Apache configurations according to your application needs. Enable necessary PHP extensions, configure PHP settings, and set up Apache virtual hosts if you have multiple sites.
4. Setting Up Dockerfile for MySQL:
   Create a Dockerfile for MySQL, specifying the version, creating a database, and configuring user permissions.

   FROM mysql:8.0

   # Set up MySQL database and user

   # Additional configurations, if needed

5. Docker Compose for Orchestration:
   Compose the services using a docker-compose.yml file. Define services for Apache, PHP, and MySQL, ensuring they can communicate with each other. Include environment variables for MySQL authentication.

   version: '3'

   services:
     apache-php:
       build: .
       ports:
         - "80:80"
       depends_on:
         - mysql

     mysql:
       image: mysql:8.0
       environment:
         MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root_password
         MYSQL_DATABASE: app_db
         MYSQL_USER: app_user
         MYSQL_PASSWORD: app_password

6. Connecting PHP to MySQL:
   Modify your PHP application’s database configuration to connect to the MySQL service. Use the service name defined in the docker-compose.yml file as the MySQL host.
7. Building and Running the Docker Containers:
   Build and run the Docker containers using the docker-compose command. Ensure that the containers start up successfully and can communicate with each other.

   docker-compose up -d

8. Testing and Debugging:
   Test your application within the Docker environment. If issues arise, use Docker logs and inspect commands to identify and debug potential problems.
9. Optimizing for Production:
   Remove unnecessary dependencies, configurations, and debug tools from the production Dockerfile to create a lean and secure image for deployment.
10. Scaling and Load Balancing (Optional):
    If your application requires scaling, consider using Docker Swarm or Kubernetes for orchestration. Integrate load balancing solutions for distributing traffic among multiple instances.

Conclusion

Dockerizing a full-stack web application with Apache, PHP, and MySQL provides a portable and consistent development environment. By following these steps, you can efficiently containerize your application, making it easier to collaborate, deploy, and scale in diverse environments.