Chmod 1755 Explained

Chmod 1755: sticky bit with standard 755 permissions. Only the file owner can delete files in this directory.

Permission

1755

rwxr-xr-t

chmod 1755 filename

Permission Breakdown

RoleRead (4)Write (2)Execute (1)OctalMeaning
Ownerrwx7read, write, execute
Groupr-x5read, execute
Othersr-x5read, execute
Special bits (1): Sticky bit (restricted deletion in directory).

Visual Permission Grid

Read
Write
Execute
Owner
r
w
e
Group
r
-
e
Others
r
-
e

Detailed Explanation

The permission 1755 adds the sticky bit to standard 755 permissions, creating a directory where everyone can read and traverse but only file owners can delete their files.

Octal breakdown:

  • 1 (Special): sticky bit set
  • 7 (Owner): read (4) + write (2) + execute (1) = full access
  • 5 (Group): read (4) + execute (1) = read and execute
  • 5 (Others): read (4) + execute (1) = read and execute

In symbolic notation this is rwxr-xr-t. The t in the others execute position indicates the sticky bit is set.

Unlike 1777, this permission does not give group and others write access to the directory itself. Only the owner can create files. The sticky bit here provides an additional safeguard on the owner's files. This is less common than 1777 but is used when the directory owner wants to create files that cannot be deleted by other users who might gain write access through other means (such as ACLs or future permission changes).

Use Case

Used for application-managed directories where the sticky bit provides extra protection for the owner's files against deletion by other processes or users.

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