The queried path contains two files (“file1.txt” and “file2.txt”) and one directory (“directory”). Each entrance starts with a 10-digit block which points to the access rights of the files and directory. The digit in the first place specifies what the code is about. For files, the code begins on a minus sign (“-“) as is the case in the first two lines of the example. A “d” (for “directory”) indicates the directory. For links, the “d” would be replaced with a “l” (for “link”).
The advantage of the Unix file system lies in its simple structures. By using multi-user operating systems, complex problems are solvable with minimal effort. Additionally, this approach is intuitive to use and is easy for computer systems to process. Those who do not feel comfortable with their abilities to allocate access rights in the terminal can alternatively rely on file managers. Common FTP programs generally offer a graphic user interface.
What follows are the three basic access rights – with three letters each – which inform on current access rights. These follow octal notation order: block 1 signifies the “user” or owner, block 2 stands for “group” and block 3 for “others”. Within each block, the order is always the same:
- The first digit indicates whether read access (r) is granted
- The second digit shows whether write (w) access is given
- And the third digit signifies if defined user groups have the rights toexecute (x)
Where a letter is placed, the corresponding rights are granted. Alternatively, there will be a minus sign in the corresponding position. Referring back to our example of the two files and the directory the code translates to:
file1.txt
| User | Group | Others |
Read | ✓ | x | x |
Write | ✓ | x | x |
Execute | ✓ | x | x |
file2.txt
| User | Group | Others |
Read | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Write | ✓ | ✓ | x |
Execute | x | x | x |
directory
| User | Group | Others |
Read | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Write | ✓ | x | x |
Execute | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |