What does the command 'tar' primarily do in Linux?

The command 'tar' is primarily used for creating and manipulating archive files in Linux. Its main function involves bundling multiple files and directories into a single file, making it easier to distribute or back up data. While 'tar' itself does not compress files by default, it can be combined with compression tools like gzip or bzip2 to create a compressed archive. This makes it versatile for both archiving (packing files) and compression (reducing file size).

When using the 'tar' command, you have options to extract files from an existing archive as well as create new archives. The overall intention of 'tar' is to provide a means to package files together to simplify their management. Therefore, the correct answer captures the primary function of 'tar' in handling archives in the Linux environment.