Working with Sudo and Su Commands in Ubuntu Linux

Sudo

Ubuntu’s sudo vs su Ubuntu comparison usually starts with sudo, a command that lets you run single administrative tasks with root powers without switching user accounts. You use sudo when you want to perform a quick system change safely while keeping your own user session active.

The `sudo` command includes safeguards against accidental mistakes. It prompts for confirmation before executing actions, encouraging you to think twice.

sudo apt update

su

Ubuntu’s sudo vs su Ubuntu choice often leads to su, a command that lets you switch completely to another user account, such as the root administrator. You type su when you need an ongoing shell session with full administrative rights rather than just running a single command.

The su command lets you switch to other accounts on the system, but you’ll need to know the account password you’re switching to.

Example:

su - 

However, you'll need to know the root password to run the root user shell and environment.

Another example:

If you want to switch to a user on the system called john, you run the commands below:

Running `su -` switches to another user's account, such as John's, and loads that user's environment settings and home directory path. This command has the same effect as logging into the system directly as the user you're switching to.

su - john

Understanding these differences helps you choose the right command for your task. Remember, `sudo` lets you run commands as another user without changing your own identity. `su`, on the other hand, allows you to switch to a user and adopt their identity.

Conclusion:

We've covered the main differences between sudo and su. If you spot any errors, please let us know using the form below.