What is the purpose of the 'grep' command?

The 'grep' command is primarily used to search for specific text patterns within files or input streams. This powerful utility allows users to filter and display lines of text that match a given pattern, which can be a simple string or a more complex regular expression. Its utility is especially important for processing large volumes of text data, such as configuration files, logs, or scripts, where finding relevant information quickly can save significant time and effort.

When using 'grep', you can specify various options to customize the search, such as making it case-sensitive, displaying line numbers, or counting occurrences. This makes 'grep' an essential tool in the toolkit of anyone working with Unix-like operating systems, as it enhances productivity by enabling quick access to specific data within files.