What is the difference between umask and file permissions?

What is the difference between umask and file permissions?

Umask is a default permission setting that determines the permissions for newly created files and directories, while file permissions define the access rights for existing files and directories.

Can you explain how umask values are calculated?

Sure! Umask values are subtracted from the default permissions. For example, the default permission for files is 666 (read and write for everyone), and for directories, it's 777 (read, write, and execute for everyone). If your umask is 022, the resulting permissions would be 644 for files and 755 for directories.

How can I change my umask value?

You can change your umask value by using the umask command in the terminal followed by the desired value. For example, umask 027 sets the umask to 027.

What happens if I set a very restrictive umask?

If you set a very restrictive umask, newly created files and directories will have limited permissions, potentially preventing other users from accessing them.