Synchronization of data layers in container images

A computer system, comprising:

• a processor set;
• one or more computer-readable storage media;
• and
• program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media, the program instructions executable by the processor set to cause the processor set to:
• receive a command to synchronize at least one source data layer of a source container image with a target data layer of a target container image;
• extract a set of keywords from the command, wherein the set of keywords is selected from the group consisting of a name of the source container image, a name of the target container image, an address of a source repository of the source container image, a version of the target container image, and a version of the source container image;
• detect the at least one source data layer of the source container image in the source repository, wherein the at least one source data layer is detected based on the set of keywords;
• determine source manifest information associated with the source container image based on the detection of the at least one source data layer in the source repository;
• generate a target manifest field based on the source manifest information, wherein
• the target manifest field is associated with target manifest information of the target container image,
• the target manifest field comprises a new attribute that comprises one or more references to the at least one source data layer,
• the target manifest field corresponds to the target data layer, and
• the target data layer is an additional layer that is vacant to receive source layer content from the at least one source data layer;
• and
• synchronize the at least one source data layer with the target data layer based on the target manifest field.

A computer program product for synchronizing at least one source data layer of a source container image with a target data layer of a target container image, the computer program product comprising:

• one or more computer-readable storage media;
• and
• program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media to perform operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving a command for the synchronizing of the at least one source data layer of the source container image with the target data layer of the target container image;
• detecting the at least one source data layer of the source container image in a source repository, wherein the at least one source data layer is detected based on the command;
• determining source manifest information associated with the source container image based on the detection of the at least one source data layer in the source repository;
• generating a target manifest field based on the source manifest information, wherein
• the target manifest field is associated with target manifest information of the target container image,
• the target manifest field comprises a new attribute that comprises one or more references to the at least one source data layer,
• the target manifest field corresponds to the target data layer, and
• the target data layer is an additional layer that is vacant to receive source layer content from the at least one source data layer;
• and
• synchronizing the at least one source data layer with the target data layer based on the target manifest field.