> But i can see ko being good alternative if you for some reason do not want to install docker on your computer but still be able to build docker containers.
Docker is a much bigger dependency than ko, involving a daemon and a socket you have to manage and secure. ko is a only a go program, and builds are straight-forward and lightning fast compared to Docker.
Importantly, ko also removes the need for a Dockerfile. Yes, as you point out a Dockerfile can be simple, but but the best part is no part. Dockerfile has plenty of foot guns and best practices to learn so if at the end of the day all you need is a go binary on a container ko will serve you much, much better.
Although Dockerfiles have the benefit of migrating existing workloads to containers without having to update your toolchain, I definitely prefer the container-first workflow. Cloud Native Buildpacks(https://buildpacks.io/) are a CNCF incubating project but were proven at Heroku. Buildpacks support common languages, but working on a Go project I've also had a great experience with ko(https://ko.build/). Free yourself from Dockerfile!
I live in the neighborhood and have bought a few sodas from the machine. I always assumed it was locksmith, they are powering the machine and I've never seen nor heard a reason to believe it was anyone else.
It was a cute novelty, and if you're not picky it's a fast soda, but honestly it was just stocked with cheap, off-brand gross soda. Would have been genius if occasionally it gave you something interesting (or at least good).
Docker is a much bigger dependency than ko, involving a daemon and a socket you have to manage and secure. ko is a only a go program, and builds are straight-forward and lightning fast compared to Docker.
Importantly, ko also removes the need for a Dockerfile. Yes, as you point out a Dockerfile can be simple, but but the best part is no part. Dockerfile has plenty of foot guns and best practices to learn so if at the end of the day all you need is a go binary on a container ko will serve you much, much better.