What does containerization involve?

Containerization involves OS-level virtualization that packages an application along with its dependencies, enabling it to run consistently across different computing environments. This approach isolates the application in a lightweight container, allowing for efficient resource use and rapid deployment.

The key characteristic of containerization is that it does not require a full operating system for each instance, unlike traditional virtualization techniques that rely on virtual machines. Instead, containers share the host system’s kernel and isolate the application processes, making them far less resource-intensive. This operational efficiency leads to quicker startup times and reduced overhead, making containers an ideal solution for modern application development practices.

In contrast, the other options involve different aspects of virtualization or computing infrastructure that do not align with the core principles of containerization. For example, creating physical machines for applications or running multiple instances of a full OS significantly increases resource utilization and complexity, which runs counter to the streamlined nature of containerization. Monitoring virtual machine performance pertains more to managing virtual machines rather than it specifically addressing how containerization works.