What is the purpose of the 'sudo' command?

The purpose of the 'sudo' command is to execute commands as a superuser or another user. It stands for "superuser do" and allows users to run programs with the security privileges of another user, typically the root user. This capability is essential for performing administrative tasks that require elevated permissions, such as installing software, modifying system files, or accessing restricted directories.

Using 'sudo' ensures that users can perform necessary operations without needing to log in as the root user, which enhances system security. It also allows for auditing of commands run with elevated privileges, as system logs can capture and record these actions.

The other options pertain to different functionalities: changing file ownership relates to commands like 'chown,' listing directory contents is done with commands like 'ls,' and terminating processes typically involves commands like 'kill.' Each of these commands serves specific purposes and does not involve the privilege escalation that 'sudo' provides.