What does the 'chmod' command do?

The 'chmod' command is used to change the file permissions in a Linux environment. File permissions control who can read, write, or execute a file. By using 'chmod', users can specify different levels of access for the file owner, the group associated with the file, and others.

For instance, the command can set permissions to allow a user to execute a script, while preventing others from modifying it. The flexibility of 'chmod' allows for more granular control of access, which is vital for maintaining security and proper functionality in a multi-user operating system.

The other choices relate to different file management tasks: changing file ownership would require the use of the 'chown' command, creating a new file typically involves commands like 'touch' or text editors, and displaying file content can be accomplished with commands like 'cat' or 'less'. Each of these actions is distinct in its purpose and the commands designed to handle them.