umask
The umask
command is used to set the default file permissions for newly created files and directories. The term umask
stands for user file-creation mode mask. It is a permission mask that determines which permission bits are turned off by default when a new file or directory is created. The umask
value is subtracted from the maximum permissions (usually represented as 666
for files and 777
for directories) to derive the effective permissions. This change reflects the more accurate terminology for the permissions being modified by the umask
value.
The importance of the umask
command lies in enhancing security and controlling file permissions in a multi-user environment. By setting the appropriate umask
value, system administrators can ensure that new files and directories have the desired permissions. This helps in enforcing security policies, preventing unauthorized access, and maintaining the integrity of sensitive data.
The umask
command is particularly useful in scenarios...