The first field or column contains the file access permissions. The interpretation of the remaining characters in this column depends, to some extent, on whether the item is a file or directory. The next nine characters indicate the access permissions. Read permission allows users to view the contents of a file and to copy it. Write permission allows users to modify the file.
Execute permission allows users to run the file if it is executable.
In the case of directories, permissions are interpreted in a slightly different way. Read permission allows users to list the contents of the directory. Write permission allows users to create files and sub-directories within the directory and execute permission allows users to search the directory. You will be able to access a file or directory using a pathname only if you have search permission on all intermediate directories in the path. Access permissions can be changed by the owner using the chmod command.