What function does the command 'docker pull' serve?

The command 'docker pull' is specifically designed to download an image from a Docker registry, such as Docker Hub, to your local machine. When you execute this command, it fetches the specified image along with its layers and any associated metadata. This image can then be utilized to create and run containers on your system.

Understanding this function is crucial because downloading images is often one of the first steps in deploying applications within a Docker environment. Without the proper images, you cannot create the containers that run your applications. This makes 'docker pull' an essential command for developers who are structuring workflows with Docker, as it ensures they have the necessary images available for their projects.