How do file permissions control access to files?

QuestionsQuestions4 SkillsProHello, Bash!Oct, 09 2025
0116

File permissions in Linux control access to files and directories by specifying who can read, write, or execute them. Permissions are set for three types of users:

  1. Owner: The user who owns the file.
  2. Group: Users who are part of the file's group.
  3. Others: All other users.

Types of Permissions:

  • Read (r): Allows viewing the contents of a file.
  • Write (w): Allows modifying or deleting the file.
  • Execute (x): Allows running the file as a program.

Permission Representation:

Permissions are represented in a 3-character format for each user type, such as rwxr-xr--:

  • The first three characters (rwx) are for the owner.
  • The next three (r-x) are for the group.
  • The last three (r--) are for others.

Example:

To set permissions using the chmod command:

chmod 755 filename.txt

This command sets:

  • Owner: read, write, execute (7)
  • Group: read, execute (5)
  • Others: read (5)

Summary:

By managing these permissions, you can control who can access or modify files, enhancing security and resource sharing on the system. If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

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