CHOWN(8) System Manager's Manual CHOWN(8)
NAME
chown - change owner
SYNOPSIS
/usr/sbin/chown [ -f -R ] owner[.group] file ...
DESCRIPTION
Chown changes the owner of the files to owner. The owner may be either a decimal UID or a login name found in the password file. An
optional group may also be specified. The group may be either a decimal GID or a group name found in the group-ID file.
Only the super-user can change owner, in order to simplify accounting procedures. No errors are reported when the -f (force) option is
given.
When the -R option is given, chown recursively descends its directory arguments setting the specified owner. When symbolic links are
encountered, their ownership is changed, but they are not traversed.
FILES
/etc/passwd
SEE ALSO
chgrp(1), chown(2), passwd(5), group(5)
4th Berkeley Distribution May 22, 1986 CHOWN(8)
