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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-linux-sudo

Which Linux command lets a permitted user run a command as the superuser or another user?

sudo runs a command as the superuser or another user.

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  1. ls
  2. sudo ✔
  3. pwd

Why: sudo checks a security policy to decide who may run which commands as root or another user. Using it only when needed keeps everyday work in a normal account.

Huh, didn't know that: sudo can also edit files as another user with sudoedit.

The dad joke
sudo make me a sandwich. What? Make it yourself. sudo make me a sandwich. Okay.
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References

Answer: sudo. sudo checks a security policy to decide who may run which commands as root or another user. Using it only when needed keeps everyday work in a normal account.

  1. sudo(8), Debian manpages manpages.debian.org/bookworm/sudo/sudo.8.en.html
    execute a command as the superuser or another user
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. sudo(8), Debian manpages manpages.debian.org/bookworm/sudo/sudo.8.en.html
    configured via the file /etc/sudoers
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  3. sudo(8), Debian manpages manpages.debian.org/bookworm/sudo/sudo.8.en.html
    Edit one or more files instead of running a command.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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