Change Permissions

To change the permissions of a file or directory we use the chmod command. chmod takes three digits, each one representing the permissions for the user, group, and everyone. Thus, 741 would mean:

• The user can read, write, and execute (7)
• The group can read only (4)
• Everyone can execute (1)

Here is a handy list translating the octal numbering system to permissions:

• 0 - no permission
• 1 - execute
• 2 - write
• 3 - write and execute
• 4 - read
• 5 - read and execute
• 6 - read and write
• 7 - read, write, and execute

Create File

touch company_data.csv

View File Permissions

ls -l company_data.csv

-rw-rw-r-- 1 chris chris 0 Jul 29 12:55 company_data.csv

Change File Permissions

chmod 600 means the user can read and write, but the group and everyone else has no permission.

chmod 600 company_data.csv

View File Permissions

ls -l company_data.csv

-rw------- 1 chris chris 0 Jul 29 12:55 company_data.csv