What is the difference between cat and echo?

Can you please clarify the distinction between the commands "cat" and "echo" in the context of computer programming or terminal operations? As a cryptocurrency and finance professional, I'm not as familiar with these specific technical terms, but I'm curious to understand how they might differ in terms of their function, usage, and potential applications within the broader tech industry. Could you elaborate on their unique characteristics and provide some examples to illustrate their differences?