What does the 'ls' command do in Linux?

The 'ls' command in Linux is used to list the contents of a directory. When you execute 'ls' in the terminal, it displays the names of files and directories within the current directory, allowing users to see what files are available. This command can also be modified with various options to show additional details, such as file permissions, ownership, size, and modification dates, or to alter the format of the output. Using 'ls' effectively helps users navigate their filesystem and manage files efficiently.