What is the primary function of the 'sudo' command?

The primary function of the 'sudo' command is to execute commands as a superuser, which is typically the root user in a Linux environment. This command allows authorized users to perform tasks that require elevated privileges without having to switch to the root account entirely.

When a user prefixes a command with 'sudo', they temporarily elevate their permissions to execute that command, which is particularly useful for performing administrative tasks, installing software, modifying system configurations, or accessing restricted files. The ability to use 'sudo' is governed by the 'sudoers' file, where permissions can be finely tuned to define who can execute what commands as a superuser or another user.

This functionality promotes security by allowing users to perform administrative tasks without giving them full-time access to the root account, thus minimizing the risks of accidental or malicious damage to the system.