What is the purpose of the 'sudo' command?

The purpose of the 'sudo' command is to allow users to run commands with elevated privileges. This is essential in a Unix-like operating system, where certain actions, such as modifying system files or installing software, require administrative rights. By prefixing a command with 'sudo', a user can execute that command as the superuser or another user, depending on the configuration in the system's security policy.

Using 'sudo' helps maintain system security by permitting users to perform administrative tasks without giving them full administrative access (which would typically be gained by switching to the root account). Additionally, it creates an audit log of commands that were run with elevated privileges, which can enhance accountability in a multi-user environment.

In contrast, changing system passwords, installing software packages, or logging user activities may involve elevated privileges, but these specific tasks are not the primary function of 'sudo' itself.