Question 560
A script owned by a user is readable but not executable by that owner. One student proposes Run chmod u+x deploy.sh and another proposes Run chmod 755 tools/. Which technical comparison is the soundest?
Explanation
Correct Answer
Correct distinction: Run chmod u+x deploy.sh targets make owner script executable; The symbolic u+x form adds execute permission for the owning user. The compared alternative instead serves executable public directory mode.
Incorrect Answers
Incorrect mapping: Run chmod 755 tools/ is used for executable public directory mode. It does not displace Run chmod u+x deploy.sh for the described requirement.
The mechanisms are different: The symbolic u+x form adds execute permission for the owning user. By contrast, Mode 755 grants owner rwx and group/others r-x, allowing traversal but not modification by others. They are not universally interchangeable.
The third option addresses change file owner: chown changes the ownership UID associated with the file. The original action remains relevant because The symbolic u+x form adds execute permission for the owning user.