For what purpose are Docker volumes typically used?

Docker volumes are primarily used for persisting data generated by and used by Docker containers. When a container is deleted, the data stored inside it typically disappears along with the container. However, by utilizing Docker volumes, data can be stored outside the container's filesystem. This means that even if a container is stopped or removed, the data stored in a volume remains safe and accessible for future containers that may need to use it. This persistence enables applications to maintain their state, configurations, and user-generated data across container restarts and updates.

The other options present valid concepts related to container operations but don't address the core function of Docker volumes as effectively as the correct choice. Temporary data storage could be achieved with bind mounts or tmpfs mounts, but that isn't the primary role of volumes. Logging container outputs is typically managed through logging drivers rather than volumes directly. Speeding up image builds is important, but it pertains to caching layers during the build process and not to the persistent storage characteristics of Docker volumes.