You run chown bob file.txt but get an error: "chown: invalid user: 'bob'". What is the likely cause?

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Linux CLI - File Permissions and Ownership

You run chown bob file.txt but get an error: "chown: invalid user: 'bob'". What is the likely cause?

AYou forgot to use sudo

BThe user 'bob' does not exist on the system

CThe file 'file.txt' does not exist

DYou used wrong syntax

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Analyze the error message
The error says "invalid user: 'bob'", meaning the system cannot find user 'bob'.
Step 2: Identify cause
This usually means the user 'bob' is not created on the system.
Final Answer:
The user 'bob' does not exist on the system -> Option B
Quick Check:
Invalid user error = A [OK]

Quick Trick: Check user exists before chown [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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