To view the permissions and timestamps of a file, which command should you use?

• A. stat
• B. chmod
• C. ping
• D. kill

Answer: (A)

The command that allows you to view the permissions and timestamps of a file is "stat." When this command is executed, it provides detailed information about the specified file, including its size, blocks allocated, last access time, last modification time, and the file's permissions. This makes "stat" a valuable tool for users who need to assess file attributes and status.

In contrast, "chmod" is used specifically to change the permissions of a file, not to view them. "ping" is a network utility that tests the reachability of a host on an IP network and measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer. "kill" is a command used to terminate processes running on a system and does not deal with file attributes. Thus, "stat" emerges as the most appropriate choice for obtaining permission and timestamp information about files.