Linux sudo command

What is the sudo command ?

The word sudo means superuser do. When you use the sudo command, you can run commands with superuser (root) privileges. Users who have sudo permission can perform administrative tasks that a normal user cannot perform. In short, it allows authorized users to use the powers of the superuser.

Syntax:

sudo [options] command

Options:

• -u

  sudo -u rahul ls /home/rahul

  Here, the command runs as rahul instead of root.
• -i

  sudo -i

  It gives you a shell with complete root authority, just like the root user.
• -k

  sudo -k

  It clears the sudo time, so next time it will ask for your password again.
• -l

  sudo -l

  It displays the exact list of commands that you are allowed to run using sudo.
• !!

  sudo !!

  It executes the most recent command again, but with root privileges.

Example 1: Install software

Command:

sudo apt-get install git

Example 2: Change file owner

Command:

sudo chown shobha:developers file.txt

Explanation:

Here, shobha becomes the owner, and the developers becomes the group.