← Years 9–10 Digital Systems

User permissions: read, write and execute

A rule that lets an account read, write or execute a file or resource. Read only views it, write can change or delete it, and execute runs it as a program.

Part of: 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 18, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 44, VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 81, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 43, VCE Data Analytics - U4O2 - Cyber Security: Data Security — Module 46, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 31, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.3 Cyber Security — Module 32, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 115, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Privacy Principles and Digital Footprints — Module 47, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 50, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 106

Understanding User permissions: read, write and execute in Years 9–10 Digital Systems

What it does: Only the x is switched on, so the account can run the program but cannot read or write it. The w in the middle is the write permission. It allows changing or deleting the file, which is why it is riskier to hand out than read. A permission is a rule about what an account is allowed to do with a file or resource. It is not a tool that scans for malware. Execute permission lets code run, which is how malware does harm. Removing it from untrusted files reduces risk. Permissions should be limited to what each account needs. Too much access, especially write, puts data at risk.

Common mistakes: The comment says the student can only view the file, so they need read permission. Write permission would let them change or delete the marks. It should be permission = read. The first group of letters is the owner's permissions. -r-- gives the owner read only. For the owner to read and write it must be rw-, as in -rw-r--r--.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 13–24) and word search (Modules 13–40).

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Learning
Duo
Which statement best describes a permission?
A rule that lets an account read, write or execute a file or resourceA program that scans files for viruses
Matches
Give a student r-- on a shared file so they can edit their answers
↓
r-- is read-only, so the student can only view the file. To edit their answers they need write permission (rw-).
Applying
Meanings
Term
permission
Meaning
A rule that lets an account read, write or execute a file or resource. Read only views it, write can change or delete it, and execute runs it as a program.
Practice
chmod u=rw,g=r,o=r report.txt
Testing
Gaps
chmod + game.sh
Check Answer
Spots
2user = student
3permission = write

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement best describes a permission?
A. A rule that lets an account read, write or execute a file or resource ✓
B. A program that scans files for viruses
A permission is a rule about what an account is allowed to do with a file or resource. It is not a tool that scans for malware.
2. A student has read-only access to a shared class folder. What can they do?
A. Open and view the files but not change them ✓
B. Edit and delete any file in the folder
Read-only access lets you view a file. Changing or deleting it needs write permission.
3. Which permission lets an account change or delete the data in a file?
A. Read
B. Write ✓
Write permission allows data to be changed, added or deleted. Read only allows viewing.
4. Which permission is needed to run a file as a program?
A. Execute ✓
B. Read
Execute permission lets an account run a file as a program. Being able to read a file does not mean you can run it.
5. A school gives students read access to the exam results spreadsheet. Is this a safe choice if the aim is to stop students changing marks?
A. No, because read access lets students edit marks
B. Yes, because read access does not allow changes ✓
Read access only allows viewing. Students would need write permission to alter the marks.

Match the Pairs

r-- → Read-only permission: the account can view the file but cannot change, delete or run it.
rwx → Full permissions: the account can read the file, write to it (change or delete it) and execute it as a program.
Execute permission lets an account run a file as a program, but does not let it change the file. → --x
Write permission lets an account change or delete data, so it should only be given when needed. → -w-
Give a student r-- on a shared file so they can edit their answers → r-- is read-only, so the student can only view the file. To edit their answers they need write permission (rw-).
Give every user rwx on the school's payroll file → Giving everyone read, write and execute lets anyone change, delete or run the file. Most users should only get r-- (read-only), or no access at all.

Key Term

permission
A rule that lets an account read, write or execute a file or resource. Read only views it, write can change or delete it, and execute runs it as a program.

Fill in the Blanks

1. chmod +x game.sh
Hint: Type the permission letter that lets the file be run as a program.
2. chmod u+w notes.txt
Hint: Type the permission letter that lets the owner change or delete the data in the file.
3. chmod a=r report.txt
Hint: Type the permission letter that gives everyone read-only access to view the file.
4. chmod +x backup.sh
Hint: Type the command that changes the permissions on a file.
5. -rwxr-xr-x 1 sam backup.sh
Hint: Type the letter in the owner's third slot that allows this script to be run.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A file = marks.txt
B user = student
C permission = write
D # student can only view the file
Line C — The comment says the student can only view the file, so they need read permission. Write permission would let them change or delete the marks. It should be permission = read.
Question 2
A ls -l notes.txt
B -r--r--r-- 1 sam notes.txt
C # owner can read and write
Line B — The first group of letters is the owner's permissions. -r-- gives the owner read only. For the owner to read and write it must be rw-, as in -rw-r--r--.
Question 3
A # script that clears temp files
B file = clean.sh
C user = admin
D permission = read
E # admin can run the program
Line D — Read permission only lets the admin view the script. To run it as a program they need execute permission. It should be permission = execute.
Question 4
A file = diary.txt
B permission = read
C # user can edit and add entries
Line B — Read permission only lets the user look at the diary. Editing and adding entries needs write permission. It should be permission = write.
Question 5
A file = photo.jpg
B guest: write
C owner: read, write
D # guest can view, not delete
Line B — Write permission lets someone change or delete data. The guest should only view the photo, so the rule should be guest: read.

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