What is the effect of the 'restart: always' option in a Docker Compose file?

The 'restart: always' option in a Docker Compose file is designed to ensure that a container is restarted automatically if it stops or exits for any reason. This is particularly useful for services that need to be continuously available, such as web servers or databases.

When this option is specified, Docker will monitor the container, and if it stops running (either due to a crash, a manual stop, or other failures), Docker will automatically restart it. This ensures minimal downtime and helps maintain the desired state of the application without requiring manual intervention.

The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of 'restart: always'. The option does not delay the start of the container, nor does it remove the container upon exit or limit the number of restarts to five. Instead, it provides a reliable mechanism for ensuring that essential services remain running, enhancing the robustness of applications deployed with Docker.