chmod for dummies

chmod_basics.md

Using chmod...

Examples

chmod a+rwx path/to/file    # Everybody can read, write and execute the file
chmod u+rwx path/to/file    # The owner of the file can read, write and execute the file
chmod o-wx path/to/file     # All other users can no longer write or execute the file
chmod ug+x path/to/file     # The owner and the group can now execute the file

Symbolic mode

chmod USER+PERMISSIONS path/to/file

USER can be one of the following:

Usertype	Character
Owner of the file	u
Group of the file	g
Other users	o
Everybody	a

PERMISSION can be one of the following:

Permission	Character
Read	r
Write	w
Execute	x

To add a permission to the specified usertype use a + as seperator between USER and PERMISSON character. In case of revoke permission use a -.

Change permissions of a whole folder

If you want to set the permissions of a folder and all containing files and folders user the -R flag

chmod -R a+r path/to/folder/