The extra number you see with umask is the "sticky bit." I think it was originally put in place to speed execution of programs. Now though, it's used more on directories to modify the standard XXX permissions. "/tmp" usually has the sticky bit set so only the item &/or directory owner (and root) can rename and delete files, while preventing other users from deleting of moving files they do not own.
-----Original Message----- From: Linux on 390 Port [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Smith, Ann (CTO Service Delivery) Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 11:23 AM To: [email protected] Subject: umask curiosity I notice on SLES10 that the umask command displays umask as 4 digits. Yet in /etc/profile I see a 3 digit value. Customers code 3 digit values in their .profile files. Coding umask 077 or umask 0077 seems to produce the same results. Is there any meaning to the fourth (really first) digit displayed by the umask command? Annie Smith ************************************************************ This communication, including attachments, is for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this communication and destroy all copies. ************************************************************ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information on Linux on System z, visit http://wiki.linuxvm.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information on Linux on System z, visit http://wiki.linuxvm.org/
