What is the purpose of the 'sudo' command?

The purpose of the 'sudo' command is to run a command with elevated permissions. When a user executes a command prefixed with 'sudo', it allows them to temporarily gain superuser (or root) privileges. This is essential for performing administrative tasks that require higher authority than a standard user, such as installing software or modifying system files.

By using 'sudo', users can operate with the necessary permissions for specific commands without needing to log in as the root user, which enhances system security. It also allows for better accountability, as all 'sudo' commands are logged, making it easier to track changes made to the system.

Commands like creating a user, editing files, or shutting down the system can indeed require elevated permissions, but 'sudo' is not specifically intended for these tasks alone. Instead, it acts as a mechanism to allow various commands that need higher privileges to be executed safely within the context of a regular user session.