Linux and Unix Shell Programming

1.5. Directories

Remember I said earlier that directories have a different meaning when you use the chmod command? Well, here’s why. The ‘read’ bit means to be able to list the contents of the files. The ‘write’ bit means you can create files in this directory, so if you don’t want users to leave files lying around your directory then take away this permission bit! The execute bit on permissions actually means to have the privilege to search or access that directory.

Table 1.5. Directory permissions

r	w	x
Yes, you can list the files in this directory	Yes, you can create/ delete files	Yes, you can search or cd into the directory

Table 1.6. Directory permission example

Permission/ chmod	Owner	Group	Other
drwx rwx r-x (775)	Read, write, execute ...