How to use the Chattr command in Ubuntu Linux with examples

This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to use the chattr command on Ubuntu Linux with examples.

The chattr command is used to change a file attribute in Ubuntu Linux. File attributes are meta-data properties that describe how a file behaves in Linux. It also describes if a file is compressed, delectable, or if a file can be changed or modified.

Learning to use the Chattr command in Ubuntu Linux can benefit system administrators and advanced users who work with files and file systems regularly. The Chattr command enables users to manipulate file attributes, which are crucial metadata properties that describe how a file behaves in Linux.

Using the Chattr command, users can add, remove, or modify file attributes such as compression, deletion, modification, and more. The command is particularly useful for managing files that cannot be deleted or renamed, such as system files and directories.

Understanding the Chattr command can help users enhance their file management skills and workflow.

About chattr command:

The chattr command is used to change a file attribute in Ubuntu Linux. It is commonly used to change files that can’t be deleted or renamed on a file system.

Syntax:

The syntax is the rule and format of how the chattr command can be used. These syntax options can be reordered, but a straight format must be followed.

Below is an example syntax of how to use the chattr command.

chattr [-pRVf] [-+=aAcCdDeijPsStTuF] [-v version] files…

Another way to use the chattr command

chattr [OPTIONS] [OPERATOR][ATTRIBUTES] FILE.

The [OPERATOR] section:

• + The operator ‘+’ causes the selected attributes to be added to the existing attributes.

• – The operator ‘-‘ causes the selected attributes to be removed from existing attributes.

Options:

The command line options are switches or flags that determine how the commands are executed or controlled. They modify the behavior of the commands and are separated by spaces, followed by the commands.

Below are some options for the chattr command:

Examples:

Below are some examples of how to run and use the chattr on Ubuntu Linux.

Simply run the chattr command to invoke it.

If you run the chattr command but don’t specify an option, it will display help information.

chattr

For example, if you want to make a file immutable, run the commands below:

sudo chattr +i documents.txt

To view attributes of files, run the commands below:

sudo lsattr documents.txt

It should display a similar line as shown below:

----i---------e----- documents.txt

To revert the change and remove the immutable attribute, run the commands below:

sudo chattr -i documents.txt

You can also combine multiple attributes with the chattr command. For example, if you want to make a file immutable and also instruct the kernel not to track the last accessed time, run the commands below:

sudo chattr +iA documents.txt

For more details about the chattr command, run man chattr:

man chattr

It should display the help page for the chattr command.

NAME
       chattr - change file attributes on a Linux file system

SYNOPSIS
       chattr [ -RVf ] [ -v version ] [ -p project ] [ mode ] files.

DESCRIPTION
       chattr changes the file attributes on a Linux file system.

       The format of a symbolic mode is +-=[aAcCdDeFijPsStTu].

       The operator '+' causes the selected attributes to be added to the existing at‐
       tributes of the files; '-' causes them to be removed; and '=' causes them to be
       the only attributes that the files have.

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to use the chattr command in Ubuntu Linux. If you find any error above, please use the form below to comment.