Conan vs Docker: What are the differences?

1. Conan: Conan is an open-source C/C++ package manager that allows developers to easily manage dependencies and build systems for their projects.

2. Docker: Docker is an open-source platform that allows developers to automate the deployment of applications inside software containers.

3. Package Management: Conan focuses specifically on package management for C/C++ projects. It provides a comprehensive solution for managing dependencies, including version control, binary uploads, and package sharing. On the other hand, Docker is a more general-purpose platform that can be used with multiple programming languages and technologies.

4. Isolation and Portability: One of the key differences between Conan and Docker is their approach to isolation and portability. Docker provides a high level of isolation by running applications in lightweight containers, which ensures consistency across different environments. Conan, on the other hand, manages dependencies at the project level, allowing for greater control and flexibility but potentially requiring more effort to ensure portability across different environments.

5. Build Systems: Conan integrates with popular build systems like CMake and Make to manage the build process and handle dependencies seamlessly. It provides an easy-to-use configuration interface that allows developers to define dependencies, specify versions, and manage build configurations. Docker, on the other hand, abstracts away the build system and provides a unified runtime environment, making it easier to package and deploy applications.

6. Deployment and Scaling: Docker provides a powerful platform for deploying and scaling applications across different environments and infrastructure. It allows developers to define application stacks and deploy them in a consistent and reproducible manner. Conan, on the other hand, focuses more on managing dependencies and build systems, providing a solid foundation for the development process but requiring additional tools and platforms for deployment and scaling.

In summary, Conan and Docker have distinct focuses and serve different purposes. Conan is a package manager specifically designed for C/C++ projects, providing comprehensive dependency management and build system integration. Docker, on the other hand, is a general-purpose platform that automates the deployment of applications inside containers, offering isolation, portability, and scalability across different environments.