What is the difference between 'docker run' and 'docker start'?

The choice that states 'docker run' creates and starts a new container, while 'docker start' starts an existing container, captures the fundamental difference between these two commands.

When you use 'docker run', you are not just starting a container; you are also generating it from an image. This command initializes the container for the first time, allowing you to define parameters such as networking configurations, environment variables, and volume mounts in the container's environment. Essentially, 'docker run' is a way to create and launch a new instance of an application defined by the Docker image.

In contrast, the 'docker start' command serves a different purpose. It is used specifically to restart an already created container that has been stopped. It does not create a new container but rather resumes the operation of an existing one, ensuring that the processes that were running before the container was stopped are executed again.

This distinction is crucial in container management and orchestration, as it helps understand the lifecycle management of containers within a Docker environment.