Which component provides a lightweight executable package for cloud-native applications?

The component that provides a lightweight executable package for cloud-native applications is a container. Containers are an essential part of modern cloud-native application development, allowing developers to package applications and their dependencies into a single, portable unit. This ensures that the application runs consistently across various computing environments, be it on a developer's local machine, in a testing environment, or in a production cloud setting.

Containers encapsulate the application and its dependencies without the overhead of a full virtual machine. Unlike hypervisors and virtual machines, which require an entire operating system to run multiple applications, containers share the host OS kernel, making them more efficient in terms of system resources and faster to start and stop. This lightweight nature makes them ideal for microservices architectures and DevOps practices, where rapid deployment and scalability are essential.

Additionally, using containers allows for easy orchestration when managing application lifecycle processes, which is crucial in cloud environments that demand agility and robust resource management. This capability further enhances their role in cloud-native architectures, distinguishing them as a primary component for modern application deployment.