What characterizes a multi-stage Docker build?

A multi-stage Docker build is characterized by its ability to reduce image size using multiple FROM instructions. This approach allows developers to create a more streamlined final image by breaking down the build process into stages. Each stage can rely on its own base image, enabling the use of lighter images for the final build while utilizing heavier images for build dependencies in earlier stages.

For example, in the build process, you might compile source code using a full development environment in one stage but then copy only the necessary build artifacts to a final stage based on a smaller, production-ready base image. This selective copying is what helps in achieving a significantly reduced image size, as the dependencies and files required only during the build process do not end up in the final image.

The ability to minimize the final image size is essential for optimizing storage, speeding up the deployment process, and improving performance, especially in environments with limited resources.