Zero System Impact
Keep your machine clean with complete Docker isolation
One of DAMP's core principles is keeping your system pristine. Unlike traditional development stacks that clutter your machine with global installations, DAMP runs everything in isolated Docker containers.
Nothing installs globally on your machine
Every project runs in complete isolation using Docker containers. Your system remains clean and conflict-free.
Complete Isolation
No Global PHP
Each project uses its own PHP version in a container - no system-wide PHP installation needed
No Database Conflicts
MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Redis run in containers with zero impact on your host system
Clean Uninstall
Remove DAMP and all projects with a single click - no traces left behind
Multiple Versions
Run PHP 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 simultaneously without conflicts
How It Works
DAMP leverages Docker's containerization technology to ensure complete isolation:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Your Clean System │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ✅ No PHP installed globally │
│ ✅ No MySQL installed globally │
│ ✅ No Apache/Nginx installed globally │
│ ✅ No Composer conflicts │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
│ Docker isolation
↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Isolated Containers │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 🐳 Project 1: PHP 8.2 + MySQL 8.0 │
│ 🐳 Project 2: PHP 7.4 + MySQL 5.7 │
│ 🐳 Project 3: PHP 8.3 + PostgreSQL │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘Each project gets its own isolated environment with dedicated PHP version and dependencies - all running independently.
Benefits
For Your System
- No Version Conflicts - Run different PHP versions without conflicts
- Clean Registry - No leftover registry entries or system modifications
- Easy Cleanup - Remove everything with Docker container removal
- System Stability - Your system services remain untouched
For Your Projects
- Reproducible - Share exact environments with your team
- Portable - Move projects between machines effortlessly
- Consistent - Development matches production perfectly
- Flexible - Each project can have different configurations
Switching Between Projects?
Stop one container, start another - your system resources are used only when projects are running.
What About Docker Desktop?
DAMP requires Docker Desktop to be installed, but Docker Desktop is:
- ✅ A standard development tool used by millions
- ✅ Clean and well-maintained software
- ✅ The only requirement DAMP needs
- ✅ Useful for many other projects beyond DAMP
Docker Desktop is the only system requirement. Once installed, DAMP handles everything else in containers.
Comparison
| Traditional Stack | DAMP Approach |
|---|---|
| ❌ Global PHP installation | ✅ Containerized PHP |
| ❌ Shared configuration files | ✅ Isolated configs |
| ❌ Version conflicts | ✅ Multiple versions coexist |
| ❌ Hard to uninstall | ✅ Clean removal |
Your System Stays Clean
With DAMP, your machine remains as clean as the day you installed it:
- Installation - Only Docker Desktop is needed
- Development - All tools run in containers
- Uninstallation - Remove containers, no traces left
Perfect for professionals and learners alike
Whether you're learning PHP or managing production apps, DAMP keeps your system clean while providing enterprise-grade isolation.