What is the function of the 'grep' command in Linux?

The 'grep' command in Linux serves the purpose of searching for specific patterns within files. It allows users to filter text and find lines that match a given regular expression. This is particularly useful for tasks such as analyzing log files, searching code for specific functions or variables, or any scenario where pinpointing specific text within a larger dataset is required.

'grep' can be combined with other commands and used in pipelines, enhancing its functionality in Bash scripting and command-line operations. This makes it an essential tool for system administrators, developers, and anyone working with text processing in a Unix/Linux environment. It's widely used for its ability to quickly sift through large amounts of text and return only the relevant lines or sections that match the criteria set by the user.