After uploading, the file permissions for any CGI scripts should be set to 755 (rwx-rx-rx), in order to make them executable. For many CGI scripts it is also important that the permissions are set correctly for any files or folders which they need to access. For example, if a CGI script needs to write to a log file, then this log file will need to have write access enabled. If a CGI script needs to create, delete or rename files, then it will need write permission for the folder in which this is to be done. The following are abbreviations for permissions: --- (or 0) = no permission r-- (or 4) = read-only permission rw- (or 6) = read/write permission r-x (or 5) = read/execute permission rwx (or 7) = read/write/execute permission Sometimes you'll see these numbers referenced for a script. For instance, "chmod your script to "755".
Permission "777" (NOTE: DO NOT SET YOUR PERMISSIONS TO ANY EXECUTABLE FILES TO "777" BECAUSE YOUR PHP AND CGI SCRIPTS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY)
That means "set file permissions to "Read-Write-Execute/Read-Execute/Read-Execute". "755" is in fact the most common setting for CGI/Perl scripts - if your script does not work or you get an "Internal Server Error" when you run it try running the script with 755 permissions first. To change file permissions using your FTP software: Log into your account and go to the directory where the files are located. Highlight the file that you want to change permission. Locate the "file permission" or "chmod" command on your FTP software (if you are using WS FTP, highlight the file, right click and choose "chmod"). There should be three groups. Each group should have either checkboxes or a selection for the permission type. Set pages to rw- for the owner, no permission for the group, and r--for other. Set scripts to rwx for the owner, r-x group, and r-x for other.
