What does the 'hostname' command do?

The 'hostname' command is primarily used to display or set the system's hostname. When executed without any additional arguments, it will simply print the current hostname of the system to the terminal. If you provide it with a new hostname as an argument, it will update the system's hostname accordingly.

The hostname is a vital label that identifies a device on a network. It is used for various purposes, including making it easier for users to access the machine rather than having to remember an IP address. This command is integral for network configurations, particularly in environments where machines must be uniquely identified.

Other listed options pertain to different functionalities within the Linux operating system. For example, displaying the operating system version would involve different commands such as 'uname' or 'lsb_release', and configuring network interfaces is done through other commands like 'ifconfig' or 'ip'. Setting the system's IP address would also not be achievable through the hostname command; that would require network configuration commands instead. Hence, the correct function of the 'hostname' command is to manage the system's hostname.