Title: How to Share Data between 2 Docker Containers: The New Stack

Introduction:
Docker containers have become an essential tool for modern software development due to their isolation and portability benefits. In a microservices architecture, it is often necessary for containers to share data with one another. In this article, we will explore various methods to achieve data sharing between two Docker containers.

Option 1: Using Named Volumes
A named volume is a convenient way to share data between containers. To create a named volume, use the following command:
```
docker volume create
```

Next, mount the volume to the source container by adding the `-v` flag followed by the volume name:
```
docker run -v :/data source_container
```

Finally, mount the same volume to the destination container using the same volume name:
```
docker run -v :/data destination_container
```

This approach allows both containers to read and write data to the shared volume '/data'.

Option 2: Sharing Directories
Another method is to share directories between containers. Docker allows containers to access the host file system using bind mounts.

First, create a directory on the host machine that you want to share. For example:
```
mkdir /data
```

To mount this directory to the source container, use the '-v' flag:
```
docker run -v /data:/data source_container
```

Similarly, mount the same directory to the destination container:
```
docker run -v /data:/data destination_container
```

Both containers can now read and write data to the shared directory '/data'.

Option 3: Using Docker Networks
Docker networks provide a way for containers to communicate with each other, making data sharing seamless. To create a network, run the following command:
```
docker network create
```

Next, start both containers with the specified network:
```
docker run --network= source_container
docker run --network= destination_container
```

Containers within the same network can communicate through their respective IP addresses or container names.

Conclusion:
Sharing data between Docker containers is a crucial aspect of microservices architecture. In this article, we explored three methods to achieve data sharing: using named volumes, sharing directories using bind mounts, and leveraging Docker networks. Each approach has its own advantages, depending on the specific use case. By employing these techniques, developers can ensure efficient data sharing and seamless communication between containers in the Docker ecosystem.

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