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Using WS-FTP to set the UNIX File Permissions in your cgi-bin

1. First, make sure you have uploaded your files in ASCII format, also called Text Format, and not in Binary Format. If you have used the wrong format, the programs in your cgi-bin will not work. You can delete and re-upload your files in ASCII Format to be sure. In WS-FTP, you set the upload format with a radio button, see red arrow in figure 1.

figure 1 shows the upload format radio button on WS-FTP's main window.

Caption: Figure 1 shows the ASCII Upload Format radio button on WS-FTP's main window

2. To set or change the File Permission status of a file using WS-FTP, right-click the filename and select "chmod [UNIX]". See the red arrow in figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the menu that appears when you right-click a filename in the cgi-bin. You will select chmod [UNIX]

Caption: Figure 2 shows the menu that appears when you right-click a filename in the cgi-bin. You will select "chmod [UNIX]" to get to step 3.

3. A small window will open with checkboxes which you can use to set the File Permissions. Note that this window does not show the file's current permission status, but instead shows whatever values were last entered. You will set the file permissions according to instructions from the file's vendor. Setting chmod 755 is common, and is shown in figure 3.

Caption: Figure 3 shows the window used to set file permissions in WS-FTP

Caption: Figure 3 shows the window used to set file permissions in WS-FTP. Select the checkboxes to reflect the read, write and execute permission status, as directed by the software vendor.

4. The log window of WS-FTP will announce your success or failure in setting the file permissions. You can check the results further by accessing the Directory Info.

First, press the Refresh button to refresh the cgi-bin directory window (see the blue arrow in figure 4). You must always refresh the directory window before accessing the WS-FTP Directory Information.

Second, press the DirInfo button on the WS-FTP panel (yellow arrow in figure 4). Notepad will open with a chart showing the file permissions status.

Direct your attention to the last three columns of the chart (see highlight in blue and see the red arrow in figure 4). This column reflects the file permissions status that will be encountered by your webpage visitors. Note in this example that the entry "data" is set to read, write, execute (rwx) (chmod 777) while the file chat2.cgi is set to read and execute only (r_x) (chmod 755).

Figure 4 shows the Directory Info window of WS-FTP

Caption: Figure 4 shows the Directory Info window of WS-FTP, with crucial file permission status highlighted. 

You must Refresh (blue arrow) before accessing DirInfo (yellow arrow)!

Hope this helps someone!

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