Docker and Guix

Docker and Guix are mechanisms for building and running isolated “containers” of software. They eliminate “works on my machine” problems when collaborating on code with co-workers; enable running and managing apps side-by-side in isolated containers to get better compute density; and can be used to build agile, updateable software delivery pipelines. They offer package management features, support transactional upgrades and roll-backs, and per-user profiles. While Docker is better known, it requires privileged (root) management. Guix works without need for root privilege.

Docker

• A hands on introduction to docker
• AntiSMASH
• Multiplatform
• Requires root permissions to install but not to run(?)

GNU Guix

• Doesn’t require root to install
• Multiplatform
• Guix Notes (Pjotr Prins)
• Reproducible and User-Controlled Software Environments in HPC with Guix (white paper by Ludovic Courtès & Ricardo Wurmus)
• GNU Guix in an HPC Environment (Ricardo Wurmus)
• Making the Case for adopting GNU Guix for Linux package management (Malcom Cook)
• GNU Guix Reference Manual