Why File system permissions (--allow-read, --allow-write) in Deno? - Purpose & Use Cases

The Big Idea

What if a script could silently change or steal your files? Learn how Deno stops that with simple permission flags.

The Scenario

Imagine running a script that reads or writes files on your computer without any restrictions. You might accidentally overwrite important documents or expose sensitive data.

The Problem

Without controlled permissions, scripts can access any file, leading to security risks and accidental data loss. Manually checking every file access is tedious and unreliable.

The Solution

Deno uses explicit file system permissions like --allow-read and --allow-write to let you safely control which files a script can access, preventing unwanted changes or leaks.

Before vs After

✗ Before

deno run --allow-all script.ts
// script can read/write any file without restriction

✓ After

deno run --allow-read=./data --allow-write=./output script.ts
// script only reads from ./data and writes to ./output

What It Enables

This lets you run scripts confidently, knowing they only access files you explicitly allow, improving security and control.

Real Life Example

When running a tool that processes user data files, you can restrict it to only read the input folder and write results to a specific output folder, avoiding accidental file damage elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

Manual file access is risky and hard to control.

Deno's --allow-read and --allow-write flags limit file access safely.

This improves security and prevents accidental data loss.

Practice

1. What does the --allow-read flag do when running a Deno program?

easy

A. Allows the program to read files or folders specified.

B. Allows the program to write or modify files.

C. Blocks the program from accessing the network.

D. Runs the program without any permissions.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of --allow-read

   This flag grants permission to read files or folders.

2. Step 2: Compare with other flags

   --allow-write is for writing, not reading. Network access is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Allows the program to read files or folders specified. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   --allow-read = read permission [OK]

Hint: Read permission means accessing files, not changing them [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing read permission with write permission
• Thinking it controls network access
• Assuming it grants all permissions

2. Which of the following is the correct way to run a Deno script app.ts with permission to write files?

easy

A. deno run app.ts --allow-write

B. deno run app.ts --allow-read

C. deno --allow-write run app.ts

D. deno run --allow-write app.ts

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Deno command syntax

   The flags come immediately after deno run and before the script name.

2. Step 2: Identify correct flag placement

   deno run --allow-write app.ts is correct; options A and C have wrong order, D uses wrong flag.

3. Final Answer:

   deno run --allow-write app.ts -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Flags go after deno run [OK]

Hint: Flags come right after 'deno run', before script name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing flags after the script name
• Mixing up --allow-read and --allow-write
• Putting flags before 'run'

3. Consider this Deno script readfile.ts that reads data.txt and prints its content. What happens if you run deno run readfile.ts without any flags?

medium

A. The script creates data.txt if missing.

B. The script runs and prints the file content.

C. The script throws a permission error.

D. The script runs but prints nothing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand default permissions

   Without --allow-read, Deno denies file reading for safety.

2. Step 2: Predict script behavior

   Trying to read data.txt without permission causes a runtime error.

3. Final Answer:

   The script throws a permission error. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   No --allow-read means no file reading [OK]

Hint: No read flag means reading files causes error [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Deno allows reading by default
• Thinking the file is created automatically
• Believing the script prints empty content silently

4. You have a Deno script that writes to log.txt. Running deno run --allow-read write.ts causes a permission error when writing. What is the fix?

medium

A. Add --allow-write flag when running the script.

B. Remove --allow-read flag and run without flags.

C. Change the script to read instead of write.

D. Run the script with --allow-net flag.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the permission needed

   Writing files requires --allow-write, not just --allow-read.

2. Step 2: Apply correct flag

   Run the script with --allow-write to allow file writing.

3. Final Answer:

   Add --allow-write flag when running the script. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Write permission needs --allow-write [OK]

Hint: Write needs --allow-write, not --allow-read [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only --allow-read for writing
• Removing flags thinking it grants all permissions
• Confusing network permission with file permission

5. You want to run a Deno script that reads from input.txt and writes to output.txt. Which command correctly grants the minimum permissions needed?

hard

A. deno run --allow-net script.ts

B. deno run --allow-read=./input.txt --allow-write=./output.txt script.ts

C. deno run --allow-write=./input.txt --allow-read=./output.txt script.ts

D. deno run --allow-read --allow-write script.ts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand fine-grained permissions

   Using --allow-read=path and --allow-write=path limits access to specific files.

2. Step 2: Match permissions to files

   Read permission for input.txt and write permission for output.txt is needed.

3. Step 3: Check options

   deno run --allow-read=./input.txt --allow-write=./output.txt script.ts correctly assigns read to input and write to output. deno run --allow-read --allow-write script.ts grants full access, which is more than needed. deno run --allow-write=./input.txt --allow-read=./output.txt script.ts swaps permissions. deno run --allow-net script.ts is unrelated.

4. Final Answer:

   deno run --allow-read=./input.txt --allow-write=./output.txt script.ts -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Grant only needed file permissions [OK]

Hint: Use path-limited flags to grant minimal permissions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Granting full read/write when only specific files needed
• Swapping read and write paths
• Using unrelated flags like --allow-net