Part of FTP is permissions or CHMOD or CHange MODe.

Some script instructions will talk about CHMOD. After the files are uploaded to your online area, highlight the specified file (on the online window), right click, and choose the CHMOD or PERMISSIONS option. Some FTP programs will have this option as a button to click instead of doing the right click thing.

Now that you have the option open, you change chage the permissions of the file. Permissions is a set of 3 numbers.

Each digit is a number value from 0 to 7. The value specifies what capabilities are available (or not). These numbers correspond to 3 command types. Read, write and execute.

Read (r) has a value of 4. It allows listing files in the directory.
Write (w) has a value of 2. It allows the addition of new files to the directory.
Execute (x) has a value of 1. It allows access to the files in the directory.

Here are the possible combinations available using these command types:

<Table
  columns={["Digit", "rwx", "Result"]}
  rows={[
    [{ value: '0'}, { value: '---' }, { value: 'no access' }],
    [{ value: '1'}, { value: '--x' }, { value: 'execute' }],
    [{ value: '2'}, { value: '-w-' }, { value: 'write' }],
    [{ value: '3'}, { value: '-wx' }, { value: 'write and execute' }],
    [{ value: '4'}, { value: 'r--' }, { value: 'read' }],
    [{ value: '5'}, { value: 'r-x' }, { value: 'read and execute' }],
    [{ value: '6'}, { value: 'rw-' }, { value: 'read and write' }],
    [{ value: '7'}, { value: 'rwx' }, { value: 'read write execute' }],
  ]}
/>


**OK... so you know each digit will be a number from 0 to 7, but what does the 3 digits stand for?**

The first number represents the **host** server. This will usually be set to 7 giving the host full permission on the files in the folder. The second number represents the **group** (YOU - the individual being hosted). And the third number represents the **world** (the visitors to the site). Normally, on free hosts, these two digits will be set to 4, allowing the reading (and displaying) of files. Thus, no executing capabilities.

Typical settings for files are 777, 755, 666 or 644.
Typical settings for directories are 777 or 755.
Cgi scripts 755, data files 666, and configuration files 644.

Learn about permissions in File Transfer Protocols.

Permissions

Now that you are an expert at FTP, there is a small option you should be aware of. It is the **mode** of the transfer. This can be set to... **ASCII, BINARY** or **AUTO**.

In general, text files should be uploaded in ASCII mode. Files such as html, js, css, php, and so on. Other types of files should be uploaded in BINARY mode. These include files such as images, sounds, video, zips, and so on.

Most FTP programs will have the transfer mode set to AUTO. This is usually safe considering most programs are kept up to date and have a good listing of what type of files are to be sent in their correct mode. Personally, I like to follow the script instructions and set the mode manually just in case my program doesn't know and guesses the wrong mode.

What happens if the wrong mode is used? Simply put, they become corrupt files. They will appear broken or not work.

Ascii, Binary, Auto

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a program that allows you to transfer files from your computer to your online area (and vice versa).

There are many FTP programs available. Some are free, some are not. A couple of the most popular ones are... SmartFTP and WS_FTP.

Once you have downloaded an FTP program, start it up. The usual information it asks for is:
* Host ftp URL
* Your username
* Your password

Those values should be supplied by your host when you started using them.

After those values are entered, you can click on the CONNECT icon. This will now connect your computer to your online area.

The FTP program will have 2 windows showing. One is your computer, the other is the online area. Find the correct directory and file you want to transfer on your local computer window. Click or highlight the file. Find the correct directory where the file is going to be uploaded to online. Many hosts have the "root" directory named **public_html** or **www** or **httpdocs**. Once those are set, click on the -> icon or click-on-and-drag the file over to the right spot. You have now transferred a file!

Learn about File Transfer Protocols and how you can use an FTP to share files.

File Transfer Protocol

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