What does the command usermod accomplish?

The command usermod is specifically designed to make modifications to an existing user's configuration in a Linux system. This could include changes like updating the user's home directory, changing the user's shell, adding the user to groups, or altering user privileges. The versatility of usermod allows system administrators to manage user accounts effectively without having to create new ones or delete existing ones when changes are needed.

In contrast, other commands serve different purposes: adding a new user is typically done with the useradd command, while removing a user account is handled by the userdel command. To view user account status, the id or getent commands are commonly utilized, providing information about groups and user IDs without modification capabilities. Thus, the correct understanding of usermod focuses on its role in changing the configuration of existing user accounts.