How can you specify a name for a Docker container?

Specifying a name for a Docker container can be done by using the --name option in the 'docker run' command. This command is used to create and start a new container from an image. By providing a name with the --name option, you can refer to the container by that name in subsequent Docker commands, making it easier to manage and identify the container among others.

When you run a container, if you do not specify a name, Docker will automatically generate a random name. However, providing a custom name allows for better organization and ease of use, especially when dealing with multiple containers.

While it's true that Docker Compose allows you to specify names for services that translate into container names, that option is specific to managing multi-container applications. The Dockerfile is used mainly for defining the image configurations and does not have a directive for naming containers during creation. Therefore, the correct focus for specifying container names directly at the time of creation is the option in the 'docker run' command.