Description: The ‘Image Layer’ is a fundamental component in container architecture, representing a set of file changes applied to a base image. Each layer is essentially a file system that contains modifications, additions, or deletions of files compared to the previous layer. This approach allows for the efficient creation of container images, as layers can be reused across different images, reducing disk space and speeding up the deployment process. Layers are immutable, meaning that once created, they cannot be modified; instead, any additional changes are made in a new layer that stacks on top of the previous one. This layered model also facilitates version management and image distribution, as only the layers that have changed need to be transferred. In the context of container technologies, each instruction in a container build file generates a new layer, allowing developers to build images in a modular and efficient manner. The ability to stack layers also enables container systems to optimize resource usage, as multiple containers can share the same underlying layers, resulting in more efficient storage use and reduced container startup times.
