Dockerfile or Registry? Which is the preferred strategy for distribution?

docker

Solution

I'd imagine the same question could be applied to source code versus binary package installs.

Pushing to a central shared registry allows you to freeze and certify a particular configuration and then make it available to others in your organisation.

Problem

If you are making a service with a Dockerfile is it preferred for you to build an image with the Dockerfile and push it to the registry -- rather than distribute the Dockerfile (and repo) for people to build their images? What use cases favour Dockerfile+repo distribution, and what use case favour Registry distribution?

Original source