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# File timestamp

## atime

This timestamp indicates when a file was last accessed (read). `cat`ing a file or executing a shellscript will set it, for example.

## ctime

This timestamp is set, whenever the metadata of a file (stored in the responsible inode) is set. The metadata includes for example:

- file name
- fize size
- file mode (permissions)

and some other things. `ctime` will also be updated when a file is written to (when `mtime` is updated.

## mtime

The mtime is set, whenever a file's contents are changed, for example by editing a file.

November 7, 2024
November 7, 2024

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