What does the 'COPY' command do in a Dockerfile?

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The 'COPY' command in a Dockerfile is designed to copy files and directories from the host filesystem into the image that is being built. When this command is used, it takes the specified files from the host and places them in the appropriate location within the container's filesystem. This is essential for including configuration files, application code, or any other resources that your application requires to run.

By utilizing the 'COPY' command, you can ensure that all necessary files are bundled with your image, making it portable and allowing it to function properly across different environments. This command works during the build process of the Docker image, resulting in an image that already contains the specified files when it is run as a container.

In the context of the other options: moving files within the container's filesystem relates more to commands that would interact directly with the filesystem of the running container, while duplicating files in the host filesystem or extracting files from an image do not reflect the function of the 'COPY' command accurately. Thus, the correct answer highlighting the role of 'COPY' in transferring files from the host to the container's filesystem is crucial for understanding how Docker images are constructed and utilized effectively.

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