Umask

umask
Original author(s)AT&T Bell Laboratories
Developer(s)Various open-source and commercial developers
Initial release1978; 46 years ago (1978)
Operating systemUnix and Unix-like
PlatformCross-platform
TypeCommand

In computing, umask is a command that determines the settings of a mask that controls how file permissions are set for newly created files. It may also affect how the file permissions are changed explicitly. umask is also a function that sets the mask, or it may refer to the mask itself, which is formally known as the file mode creation mask. The mask is a grouping of bits, each of which restricts how its corresponding permission is set for newly created files. The bits in the mask may be changed by invoking the umask command.