Linux Beginner

What is File Permissions?

A security mechanism that controls who can read, write, or execute files and directories in Unix-like systems.

Linux file permissions use a three-tier system: owner, group, and others. Each tier can have read (r=4), write (w=2), and execute (x=1) permissions. For example, chmod 755 grants the owner full access while giving read and execute access to everyone else.

Special permissions include SUID, SGID, and the sticky bit, which provide additional access control for specific use cases.

Related Terms

A virtual filesystem in Linux that provides an interface to kernel data structures, exposing process and system information as files.

A command-line utility for managing disk partition tables on Linux systems.

A command-line tool for querying and viewing logs collected by systemd's journal logging system.

A command that runs a process immune to hangup signals, allowing it to continue after the terminal session ends.

A systemd unit that triggers services on a schedule or at specific events, serving as a modern alternative to cron jobs.

A versatile command-line tool for transferring data using various network protocols, commonly used for API testing.

View All Linux Terms →