On Wed, 14 Apr 1999, Jeremy wrote: > On 14 Apr 1999, John Hasler wrote: > > > Jeremy writes: > > > drwxr-s--- 2 root dip 1024 Apr 12 08:17 /etc/chatscripts > > > ... > > > > Set group ID on execution on a directory does nothing useful that I know > > of. The group needs execute permission to search the directory: > > > > drwxr-x--- 2 root dip 1024 Apr 12 08:17 /etc/chatscripts
The following applies to linux, and I suspect to most recent versions of unix. This info is should be more well known. The set group id on a directory aids in the sharing of files under a directory by forcing created files to take on the same group ownership as the directory. If root creates a file in Jeremy's /etc/chatscripts example, the ownership will be root.dip not root.root. A related point: The sticky bit on a directory prevents another user from deleting your file, unless he owns the directory. Good for TMPDIR's: drwxrwxrwt 2 root root 1024 Apr 15 08:90 /tmp