Chapter 8. Files and Permissions

While most computer use revolves around files , files are particularly central to Unix-based systems. Commands are executable files. Devices and disks are identified as files. Even most interprocess and network communication occurs through what appear to be files. This Unix view of the world permeates the lowest levels of Mac OS X, even to the point that many system privileges and permissions are controlled, in part, through access to files. Access to files is organized around the concepts of ownership and permissions.

This chapter starts out by looking at how to find files, an area in which Tiger's Finder and Spotlight bring tremendous improvements over previous versions of Mac OS X. You'll also learn more about how to work with files: their permissions, metadata, attributes, and more!