What is the purpose of the 'head' command in the context of examining files?

The head command in Linux is used to display the beginning portions of text files. Its primary purpose is to allow users to quickly preview the first few lines of a file without having to open the entire file. This is particularly useful for inspecting large files, as it enables users to check data structures, gather insights, and perform initial data exploration efficiently. By default, head shows the first 10 lines, but users can customize the number of lines displayed using the -n option.