From e2e68916a5832e38e7e6dd9cd48598fdacc7e213 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: VineetPadole Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 14:51:04 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] chmod: clarify numeric mode description The existing description of the numeric modes is dense and combines multiple concepts in a single paragraph. Restructure the section to separate digit roles and improve readability. Add a concise mapping of octal values to permission bits for quick reference. No functional changes. --- man/chmod.x | 34 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------- 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/man/chmod.x b/man/chmod.x index 39749f0bf..32bede956 100644 --- a/man/chmod.x +++ b/man/chmod.x @@ -50,14 +50,32 @@ and the permissions granted to users that are in neither of the two preceding categories (\fBo\fP). .PP A numeric mode is from one to four octal digits (0\-7), derived by -adding up the bits with values 4, 2, and 1. Omitted digits are -assumed to be leading zeros. -The first digit selects the set user ID (4) and set group ID (2) and -restricted deletion or sticky (1) attributes. The second digit -selects permissions for the user who owns the file: read (4), write (2), -and execute (1); the third selects permissions for other users in the -file's group, with the same values; and the fourth for other users not -in the file's group, with the same values. +adding the values of permission bits: read (4), write (2), and +execute (1). Omitted digits are assumed to be leading zeros. + +Each digit applies to a different class of users: + +.TP +First digit +Special mode bits: set-user-ID (4), set-group-ID (2), and sticky (1). + +.TP +Second digit +Permissions for the file owner. + +.TP +Third digit +Permissions for users in the file's group. + +.TP +Fourth digit +Permissions for other users. + +Values 0 through 7 correspond to the following permissions: +0 (---), 1 (--x), 2 (-w-), 3 (-wx), 4 (r--), 5 (r-x), 6 (rw-), 7 (rwx). + +For example, a value of 7 grants read, write, and execute permissions +(4+2+1), while 5 grants read and execute permissions (4+1). .PP -- 2.43.0