EasyExperience level: 0-2 years · 3-5 years1 min read

Explain Linux file permissions and chmod 755.

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Concept Made Simple

Coffee Chat Question

“Explain Linux file permissions and chmod 755.”

Remember It Faster

Mind Map Answer

Every file has three permission groups: owner, group, others — each with read(4), write(2), execute(1).

7 = 4+2+1
owner: read + write + execute
5 = 4+0+1
group: read + execute
5 = 4+0+1
others: read + execute

Learn by Doing

Hands-on Keyboard

bash
chmod 755 deploy.sh
ls -l deploy.sh
# -rwxr-xr-x  owner can edit+run, everyone else can run

Think Beyond the Expected

What If?

What does chmod +x file actually change?

It adds the execute bit for all three groups (owner, group, others) without touching read/write — a shortcut when you just need to make a script runnable.

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Plain-language foundations

I'm preparing for a software engineering interview and want to understand this from scratch, as a beginner.

Topic: Permissions (Linux)
Interview question: "Explain Linux file permissions and chmod 755."

Please:
1. Explain the core idea in simple, plain language, using an everyday analogy.
2. Define any technical terms you use.
3. Walk through one small, concrete example.
4. Finish with a single sentence I can easily remember.

Keep the tone friendly and assume I'm new to this topic.
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