writeaccess

Write access is the ability to modify, create, or delete data or resources within a system. It is distinct from read access, which permits viewing data without making changes. The exact meaning of write access depends on the context, including file systems, databases, version control systems, and network services.

In file systems, write permissions govern whether a user can alter a file or directory. For example, in Unix-like systems, write permission on a file allows modification of that file, while write permission on a directory enables creating, deleting, or renaming entries within the directory. On Windows, access control lists grant or deny write rights to specific principals.

Databases assign write rights through privileges such as INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or DDL statements like CREATE. Privileges are typically granted to users or roles and can be scoped to specific tables or schemas. In version control, write access means the ability to commit and push changes to a repository, or to modify protected branches according to project policy.

Access to write resources is usually controlled via access control models such as role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), or discretionary access control (DAC). The principle of least privilege advocates granting the minimum level of write access needed for a task and restricting it when not required. Regular reviews and audit logging help detect misuse.

Best practices include separating duties to prevent unilateral destructive edits, enabling robust authentication, and using revocation procedures to withdraw write rights promptly. In security-sensitive environments, immutable backups and change history further protect against accidental or malicious modification.