It sets permissions (ch ange modification rights) on all files (-R = recursive, stepping down through directories) in the file system (hence starting at /) so that they can be read, (re)written and executed as programs by all users (the 777 part). 000 would be no permissions for anyone (except for the root user), which would be just as bad.
Excellent summary. Just as a bit of trivia I’ll add that Linux file permissions go like r w x (read write execute) = 4 2 1, so taken all together a 7 means the indicated user can do all those operations.
And yeah, it breaks your system in surprising ways. Most people would just have to start over.
What exactly does that command do
gives all users on the system read and write access to any and all files and resources
It sets permissions (
changemodification rights) on all files (-R= recursive, stepping down through directories) in the file system (hence starting at/) so that they can be read, (re)written and executed as programs by all users (the777part).000would be no permissions for anyone (except for therootuser), which would be just as bad.Excellent summary. Just as a bit of trivia I’ll add that Linux file permissions go like
r w x(read write execute) =4 2 1, so taken all together a7means the indicated user can do all those operations.And yeah, it breaks your system in surprising ways. Most people would just have to start over.