This article describes steps one can take to run the chgrp command to change the group ownership of files and folders on Linux filesystems.
The chgrp command is used by users to change the group ownership of files and folders on Linux filesystems.
If you’re a student or new user looking for a Linux system to start learning on, the easiest place to start is Ubuntu Linux OS. It’s a great Linux operating system for beginners to start learning Linux on.
Ubuntu is an open-source Linux operating systems that runs on desktops, laptops, server and other devices.
About chgrp command:
The chgrp command is used by users to change the group ownership of files and folders on Linux filesystems. It allows superuser to change and restrict access to files and directories as well.
Like using your mouse and keyboard to add and remove users access from files and folders in the GUI. the chgrp is the way to do it on the command line.
Linux has three major groups to apply permissions to. these are:
User — These permissions apply to a single user who has special access to the file. This user is called the owner.
Group — These apply to a single group of users who have access to the file. This group is the owning group.
Other — These apply to every other user on the system. These users are known as others, or the world.
When a file is created, the user automatically is assigned ownership of the file. and the group becomes the user’s default group. However, you can use the chgrp command to change the group of each file or folder.
Syntax:
The syntax is the rule and format of how the chgrp command can be used. the syntax’s options can be reordered. but straight format must be followed.,.
Below is an example syntax of how to use the chgrp command.
chgrp [OPTION]. GROUP FILE.
Options:
The command line options are switches or flags that determined how the commands are executed or controlled. they modify the behavior of the command. they are separated by spaces and followed after the commands options.
Below are some options of the chgrp command:
| FILE. | Replace FILE. with the file you want to change it ownership. If the file doesn’t already exist, the command will fail and not execute.. |
| -c, –changes | Use the -c or –changes option to report only when a change is made |
| -f, –silent, –quiet | Use the -f or –silent, –quiet to suppress most error messages |
| -R, –recursive | Use the -R or –recursive option to operate on files and directories recursively |
| -v, –verbose | Use the -v or –verbose option to output a diagnostic for every file processed |
| -h, –help | display this help message and exit |
Examples:
Below are some examples of how to run and use the chgrp on Ubuntu Linux.
If you want to change the ownership of a file named Confidential.txt, to the group name Private, you run the commands below.
chgrp Private Confidential.txt
If you want to change the group ownership of all files and folders in the /office/files directory to the Staff group, you run the commands below:
chgrp -hR Staff /office/files
The commands above change the owning group of /office/files, and all sub-directories, to the group Staff.
If you’re not logged in as a root account, you may have to use the sudo command it it.
chgrp -hR Staff /office/files
To change the ownership and group of an entire directory, including sub-directories, you add the -R option.
When you run chgrp with the –help option, you’ll see the help text below:
Usage: chgrp [OPTION]. GROUP FILE.
or: chgrp [OPTION]. --reference=RFILE FILE.
Change the group of each FILE to GROUP.
With --reference, change the group of each FILE to that of RFILE.
-c, --changes like verbose but report only when a change is made
-f, --silent, --quiet suppress most error messages
-v, --verbose output a diagnostic for every file processed
--dereference affect the referent of each symbolic link (this is
That’s it!
Hope you like it and please come back soon for more Ubuntu Linux command!
