What is the purpose of a Docker Compose override file, and how can it be used to customize the behavior of services in a multi-container application?

A Docker Compose override file is a tool for tailoring the behavior of services in a multi-container application. Simply put, it allows you to define changes to an existing Compose file without modifying the original. This is handy for different environments (e.g., development, production) or in special use cases. You can override service configurations, change environment variables, or even swap out service definitions entirely.

With this clarity and flexibility, override files streamline the management of complex Docker Compose setups and help ensure consistency across different scenarios in your multi-container Python application.