What is the primary purpose of Docker?

The primary purpose of Docker is to enable developers to manage applications through containerization. Docker provides a platform for developers to package applications and their dependencies into containers, ensuring that they run consistently across different computing environments. This approach allows for greater flexibility and scalability, as containers can be easily deployed, modified, and replicated without the need for complex setups typically associated with virtual machines.

Using Docker, developers can streamline the development process, collaborate more effectively with team members, and automate application deployment. The portability of containers also makes it easier to deploy applications in various environments, such as development, testing, and production, without worrying about system-specific differences.

In contrast, creating virtual machines involves emulating entire hardware systems, which can be resource-intensive and less efficient for many use cases. Serving web pages is a specific application that could technically leverage Docker, but it doesn't encompass Docker's broader purpose. Compiling code is a separate process related to software development that is not the main focus of what Docker facilitates. Thus, the correct response highlights how Docker fundamentally enhances application management and deployment for developers.