What is the function of the 'cat' command?

The 'cat' command, short for "concatenate," is primarily used in Unix and Linux operating systems to display the contents of a file directly in the terminal. When executed, it reads the specified file(s) and outputs their contents to the standard output, which is usually the screen. This makes it an invaluable tool for quickly viewing the contents of text files without needing to open them in an editor.

Additionally, 'cat' can also be used to concatenate multiple files, allowing users to display or create new files by merging the contents of several sources together. This versatility further enhances its role as a foundational command for file manipulation in command line environments.