canReadcanWrite

In software engineering, canReadcanWrite is a shorthand descriptor used to indicate that an entity — such as a user, process, or token — has both read and write permissions for a given resource.

There are several ways to implement this concept. A simple approach is a single boolean flag named canReadAndWrite or canReadcanWrite that is true only when both reading and writing are allowed. Alternatively, systems may maintain separate flags canRead and canWrite, with canReadcanWrite derived as their logical conjunction. Some implementations use a bitmask where distinct bits encode read and write permissions.

Common use cases include file systems, database access controls, API resource permissions, and collaboration tools, where canReadcanWrite can gate operations like fetching and modifying data.

Considerations for canReadcanWrite include ensuring atomicity of permission checks, avoiding over-permissive defaults, and aligning with access control models such as ACLs or RBAC. Clear documentation of the behavior is important, as is handling inheritance and permission propagation in hierarchical resources or multi-tenant environments.

See also canRead, canWrite, read permission, write permission, ACL, RBAC.