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Chmod

The chmod command in Linux is used to change the permissions of files and directories to control who can read, write, or execute them. Permissions have three categories - read, write, and execute - represented by r, w, and x. Chmod uses these letters in symbolic modes like u+rwx to grant permissions to the owner, or octal modes like 644 to set permissions numerically. It allows granting or restricting access using options like -R to apply changes recursively in a directory.

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115 views3 pages

Chmod

The chmod command in Linux is used to change the permissions of files and directories to control who can read, write, or execute them. Permissions have three categories - read, write, and execute - represented by r, w, and x. Chmod uses these letters in symbolic modes like u+rwx to grant permissions to the owner, or octal modes like 644 to set permissions numerically. It allows granting or restricting access using options like -R to apply changes recursively in a directory.

Uploaded by

prakashvivek990
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Chmod command in Linux with examples


In Unix operating systems, the chmod command is used to change the access mode of a
file. The name is an abbreviation of change mode. Which states that every file and
directory has a set of permissions that control the permissions like who can read, write or
execute the file. In this the permissions have three categories: read, write, and execute
simultaneously represented by `r`, `w` and `x`. These letters combine together to form a
specific permission for a group of users.
The `chmod` command is used to modify this permission so that it can grant or restrict
access to directories and files. Let’s have a look at the syntax and options for the `chmod`
command in Linux Operating System.
Syntax:
chmod [options] [mode] [File_name]
“chmod” in Linux [options]

Options Description

Apply the permission change recursively to all the files and directories within the
`-R` specified directory.

It will display a message for each file that is processed. while indicating the
`-v` permission change that was made.

It works same as `-v` but in this case it only displays messages for files whose
`-c` permission is changed.

`-f` It helps in avoiding display of error messages.

`-h` Change the permissions of symbolic links instead of the files they point to.

Note: Options in `chmod` are basically used for making changes in bulk and modifying
permissions across multiple files or directories at once.
“chmod” in Linux [mode]
The “mode” helps in setting new permissions that have to be applied to files or
directories.
This mode can be specified in several ways, we will discuss two modes: Symbolic and
Octal mode.

1) Symbolic mode

If we talk about symbolic mode, we can say that it is the most common method used for
specifying fir permissions. In this we have to make a combination
of letters and operators to set or tell what to do with permissions.
The following operators can be used with the symbolic mode:

Operators Definition

`+` Add permissions

`-` Remove permissions

`=` Set the permissions to the specified values

The following letters that can be used in symbolic mode:

Letters Definition

`r` Read permission

`w` Write permission

`x` Execute permission

The following Reference that are used:

Reference Class

u Owner

g Group
Reference Class

o Others

a All (owner,groups,others)

Examples of Using the Symbolic mode:


 Read, write and execute permissions to the file owner:
chmod u+rwx [file_name]
 Remove write permission for the group and others:
chmod go-w [file_name]
 Read and write for Owner, and Read-only for the group and other:
chmod u+rw,go+r [file_name]

2) Octal modeIt is also a method for specifying permissions. In this method we specify
permission using three-digit number. Where..

 First digit specify the permission for Owner.


 Second digit specify the permission for Group.
 Third digit specify the permission for Others. The digits
NOTE: The digits are calculated by adding the values of the individual permissions.
Value Permission

4 Read Permission

2 Write Permission

1 Execute Permission

Examples of Using the Octal mode:


Suppose if we to give read and write permission to the file Owner. Read, write and
executable permission to the Group. Read-only permission to the Other. They our
command would be.
chmod 674 [file_name]
Here.
 6 represent permission of file Owner which are (rw).
 7 represent permission of Group which are (rwx).
 4 represent permission of Other which is (r).

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