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From: jpm@beta.UUCP (James P Mcgee)
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Request for human interface des
Message-ID: <13159@beta.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-Dec-87 12:24:31 EST
Article-I.D.: beta.13159
Posted: Tue Dec  8 12:24:31 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Dec-87 06:30:37 EST
References: <6304@ncoast.UUCP> <10300004@osiris.cso.uiuc.edu> <453@uni2.bcm.tmc.edu>
Organization: Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos, N.M.
Lines: 15
Summary: File permissions: need append permission also



One other permission that I feel is necessary for some applications is an
append permission.  This differs from write permission in that, while
nothing that is already there can be changed, new data may be added.
To add new data to a file, or directory, in Unix requires write permission.
However, this also allows the user to change information that is already
present, or to delete it by changing it to null.

Consider a log file of system events, or a mailbox, or a bulletin board
system.  In each of these cases, general users (programs) must be able
to add information, but should not be able to change, or in some cases,
even read what is already there.

Pat McGee, jpm@lanl.gov, MS B272, Los Alamos National Laboratory,
Los Alamos, NM, 87545.  (505) 667-4196 (FTS 843-4196)