Linux permissions are a set of flags associated with each file determines who can access that file, and how they can access it. These flags are called file permissions or modes, as in "mode of access." The command name chmod stands for "change mode." It restricts the way a file can be accessed.
user group others
r w x r w x r w x
4 2 1 4 2 0 4 0 1
4+2+1 = 7 (rwx) # user