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   Rui Malheiro (chromatic@kolektiva.social)'s status on Tuesday, 31-Oct-2023 21:23:11 JST Rui Malheiro

   in reply to

   • molly in missouri

   @whatzaname `su` is used to switch user context to another user, by default to `root`. It requires the user to know the target user's password, which is a security risk. Because it's typically used to switch to a `root` shell, it exposes the system to all kinds of accidental damage as all commands are now executed with `root` privilege.

   `sudo` is mainly used to execute one command at the time with `root` permission. It requires the user to know its own password. Because the user remains in its own context, accidental damage to the system is limited to the commands specifically executed through `sudo`.

   There are other `sudo` advantages in multi-user contexts, but even for a single user system it's a healthy best practice.

   • Embed this notice
     molly in missouri (whatzaname@kolektiva.social)'s status on Tuesday, 31-Oct-2023 21:23:12 JST molly in missouri

     #linux #debian question
     attempting to learn to work from the command line. I am not setting up a server or anything of the sort.
     Is there a reason I should use sudu instead of just su?