Understanding Each Column in Linux File Listing

Understanding Each Column in Linux File Listing

 

Note: File permission can be divided in to 4 parts

For File

-|rw-|r--|r--|

For Directory

d|rwx|r-x|r-x|

1. Shows the File permissions.

• The first character indicates whether is it is a file or Directory, if it is starts with “-” then it is a file and if it starts with “d” then it is the directory.
• The Second set of the three characters represent the read, write, and execution rights of the file’s owner.
• The Third set of the three characters represent the read, write, and execution rights of the file’s Group.
• The Fourth set of the three characters represent the read, write, and execution rights of the everybody else.

2. Owner.

• Name of the user who owns the file.

3. Groups

• The Name of the group that has file permission in addition to the file’s owner.

4. Size

• The Size of the file in bytes.

5. Modification Time

• The last time the file was modified. If the last modification occurred more than six months in the past, the date and year are displayed. Otherwise. The time of the day is shown.

6. File name

• The Name of the File or Directory.