File permissions·460
460
r--rw----
-r--rw----

chmod 460 — the r--rw---- permission

460 is r--rw----. The owner gets r, and everyone else is shut out.

Who can do what

Three rows for owner, group and others; three columns for read, write and execute. On a folder that last one means the right to go inside.

ReadWriteExecute
Owner4··
Group6·
Others0···

On a folder the execute bit means going inside. With read but no execute you can list the names yet open nothing in it.

Symbolic
r--rw----
ls -l (file)
-r--rw----
ls -l (directory)
dr--rw----
chmod symbolic form
chmod u=r,g=rw,o=
Command
chmod 460 <file>
Binary
100110000
Decimal
304
umask (directory)
317
umask (file)
206

One digit away

How to read this

  • Read is 4, write 2, execute 1; add them for one digit. 7 is 4+2+1, 5 is 4+1.
  • The digits are owner, group, others, left to right.
  • umask is what gets taken away: from 777 for directories, from 666 for files.
  • Special bits (setuid 4000, setgid 2000, sticky 1000) add a fourth digit in front — /tmp is 1777.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What does chmod 460 mean?

It is r--rw----. ls -l shows a file as -r--rw---- and a directory as dr--rw----.

Q. How is 460 written in rwx form?

It is the same as chmod u=r,g=rw,o=.

Q. What can other people do with 460?

Nothing. Only the owner and the group get in.

Q. Which umask produces 460?

317 for directories. The same 206 gives it for files too.