What is the effect of using the `--rm` option when running a container?

Using the --rm option when running a container instructs Docker to automatically remove the container after it has exited. This means that once the container's process has finished executing, Docker will clean up the resources associated with that container, such as the filesystem and any temporary data that was created during its run. This is particularly useful for one-time tasks or short-lived containers, as it helps to keep your environment tidy by preventing the accumulation of stopped containers that you have no further use for.

The main advantage of this functionality is that it reduces manual overhead in managing container lifecycles, making it easier for developers and system administrators to maintain their Docker environments. This option is commonly used in scenarios where you only need the container for a short period, such as testing or running simple scripts, without the concern of lingering artifacts.