The Execute Bit: Different Meanings for Files and Directories
In Linux, the execute permission (x) has different meanings depending on whether it’s applied to a file or a directory:
- For files: The execute bit allows the file to be run as a program or script
- For directories: The execute bit allows you to enter the directory (cd into it) and list its contents
The Danger of chmod -R
Using chmod -R (recursive mode) to modify execute permissions can be risky because it treats both files and directories the same way. For example: