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Chmod Command Tutorial

The document explains the chmod command in Unix/Linux, which is used to change file and directory permissions for three types of users: owner, group, and others. It details the numeric (octal) notation for permissions, the syntax for using chmod, and provides real-time examples of different permission settings. Additionally, it includes a verification method to check the permissions after changes are made.

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3 views4 pages

Chmod Command Tutorial

The document explains the chmod command in Unix/Linux, which is used to change file and directory permissions for three types of users: owner, group, and others. It details the numeric (octal) notation for permissions, the syntax for using chmod, and provides real-time examples of different permission settings. Additionally, it includes a verification method to check the permissions after changes are made.

Uploaded by

suryansh2nd1
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

🔹 1.

Understanding chmod command

chmod (change mode) is used in Unix/Linux to change file or directory


permissions.

Each file has three types of users:

1. User (u) – the owner of the file


2. Group (g) – users who are part of the file’s group
3. Others (o) – everyone else

And each can have three permissions:

Permission Symbol Numeric Value Meaning


Read r 4 Can view contents
Write w 2 Can modify contents
Execute x 1 Can execute the file (or access directory)

🔹 2. Numeric (Octal) Notation

Each permission set (user, group, others) is represented by a single digit — the
sum of the values of the permissions assigned.

Permission Combination Calculation Value


Read only 4 4
Write only 2 2
Execute only 1 1
Read + Write 4+2 6
Read + Execute 4+1 5
Read + Write + Execute 4 + 2 + 1 7

🔹 3. Syntax

chmod [permissions] filename

Example with octal value:


chmod 755 [Link]

This means:

 User (owner): 7 = 4+2+1 (rwx)


 Group: 5 = 4+0+1 (r-x)
 Others: 5 = 4+0+1 (r-x)

🔹 4. Real-time Examples

🧩 Example 1: Full permission to everyone

chmod 777 [Link]

✅ User, Group, Others = rwx

 Everyone can read, write, and execute the file.


⚠️Risky — use carefully, especially for scripts or system files.

🧩 Example 2: Read + Write for owner, Read-only for others

chmod 644 [Link]

✅ User = rw- (6)


✅ Group = r-- (4)
✅ Others = r-- (4)

 Common for text files that only the owner edits, but others can read.

🧩 Example 3: Executable script for owner only


chmod 700 [Link]

✅ User = rwx (7)


✅ Group = --- (0)
✅ Others = --- (0)

 Only the owner can run or modify this script.

🧩 Example 4: 421 notation in detail

Let’s break down a few numeric codes:

Code Binary (rwx) Meaning


4 100 Read only
2 010 Write only
1 001 Execute only
6 110 Read + Write
5 101 Read + Execute
7 111 Read + Write + Execute

So if you write:

chmod 421 [Link]

This means:

 User = 4 → r-- (read only)


 Group = 2 → -w- (write only) (unusual)
 Others = 1 → --x (execute only)

✅ In real life, chmod 421 is rare, but it helps understand how 4, 2, and 1 values
combine.

🔹 5. Example Verification

After changing permission, check using:


ls -l [Link]

You might see output like:

-rw-r--r-- 1 munish users 120 Oct 06 09:40 [Link]

This corresponds to:

 User: rw-
 Group: r--
 Others: r--

Which equals 644.

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