What is the purpose of the chmod command?

The chmod command is specifically designed to change file permissions in a Linux or Unix-like operating system. It allows users to control who can read, write, or execute a file by defining permission settings for the owner of the file, the group associated with the file, and others.

When using chmod, permissions can be set using symbolic notation (such as "rwx" for read, write, and execute) or numeric mode (using numbers like 7 for full permissions, 5 for read and execute, etc.). This flexibility enables users to finely tune access to files and directories, providing a crucial security feature for managing a multi-user environment. Being able to modify who can perform certain actions on files is essential for protecting sensitive data and maintaining overall system integrity.