What is the purpose of using pipes (|) in a command?

The purpose of using pipes in a command is to pass the output of one command as input to another command. This allows for efficient processing and manipulation of data in a sequential manner. For instance, when you use a pipe between two commands, the output generated by the first command is directly handled by the second command without the need for intermediate files. This is particularly useful for chaining commands together to create powerful one-liners that streamline tasks, such as filtering results or transforming data efficiently.

Using pipes enhances the command line's usability by allowing users to combine simple commands into complex workflows, making it a fundamental feature of Unix-like operating systems.