What does the rwx permission mean for a file versus a directory?
Jun 27, 2025 am 12:15 AMFor files, r means reading content, w means modifying content, x means executing the file; for directories, r means listing directory content, w means creating/deleting files in the directory (need to cooperate with x), x means entering the directory and accessing known files. For example, file permissions -rwxr-xr-- means: the owner can read, write and execute, group users can read and execute, other users can only read; directory permissions drwx---- means: the owner can manage directory contents, group users can only enter the directory but cannot list contents, and other users do not have access permissions. When setting permissions, files are often used for 644 and directories are often used for 755. Avoid opening of write permissions at will, and pay attention to directory-level permissions that affect access. Use ls -l to view permissions, and chmod to modify permissions.
In Linux and Unix-like systems, file permissions are represented by a combination of r , w , and x (read, write, execute), and they are differently depending on whether you're dealing with a file or a directory . It's a common point of confusion, especially for newer users or those managing servers.
Let's break down what each permission really means in both contexts.
? What "rwx" Means for Files
For files , the rwx permissions control how users can interact with the actual contents of the file:
- r (read) – You can view or copy the contents of the file.
- w (write) – You can modify or delete the file's contents.
- x (execute) – You can run the file as a program or script (eg, shell scripts, binaries).
? For example, if a script has -rwxr-xr--
, that means:
- The owner can read, write, and execute it.
- Group members can read and execute.
- Others can only read.
Note: Giving execute to a regular text file doesn't magically make it runnable — the file still needs to be a valid execute or script.
? How "rwx" Works for Directories
With directories , these permissions affect how users can interact with the directory structure itself — not the contents of files inside:
- r (read) – You can list the contents of the directory (ie, see which files and subdirectories exist).
- w (write) – You can create, rename, or delete files inside the directory (but only if execute is also granted).
- x (execute) – You can access (ie, enter) the directory and access files inside if you know their names.
? Important detail: To actually work with files inside a directory, users typically need both x
and r
. Without x
, even if r
is set, you can't enter the directory to list its contents.
Example:
If a directory has drwx--x---
:
- Owner can read, write, and execute (enter and manage contents).
- Group members can enter (
x
) but can't list contents (r
is missing). - Others have no access at all.
This distinction matters when setting up secure web directories or shared folders — too loose, and anyone can mess with your stuff; too strict, and even authorized users get “permission denied” errors.
?? Practical Tips When Setting Permissions
Here are some real-world things to keep in mind:
- Use
ls -l
to check permissions. - For files, a safe default is often
644
(rw-r--r--
). - For directories,
755
(rwxr-xr-x
) is typical. - Avoid giving
w
to everyone unless absolutely needed. - If someone can't access a file despite correct file permissions, it might be due to restrictive directory permissions higher up.
You can adjust permissions using:
chmod 755 filename
Or symbolically:
chmod ux filename
So yeah, while the same rwx letters are used for both files and directories, what they actually allow is quite different. Understanding this difference helps avoid confusion and security issues.
Basically that's it.
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