A CGI script's permission set is checked by the web server and (hopefully) makes sure that the execute bit is set for "world" or "other". It doesn't care about the rest. A webserver will never show the contents of a CGI script if it's configured to execute it, thus considering 755 vs. 711 is irrelevant (the entire world can execute it through web browsers via the server). These are only meaningful on the local level. Do you want other users (or some guest account) to be able to read your source or just execute it (perhaps in interactive mode...)? This is considering that you are using a standard UN*X file system- not something liek I'm forced to use- the Andrew File System- which blows. Enough with the ranting....

if you're confused about what the numbers (bit masks) mean, i suggest using what i like to call a "UNIX filesystem primer" like midnight commander. if you're using terms like "secure", then 711 is "more secure" than 744 since it reduces permissions (if that's what u ask)...

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