Linux Commands

How to Execute Binary Files in Linux

Binary files or bin files are executable files in the operating system also known as non-text files. These files can contain anything in it like images, compiled files, metadata, chain of sequential bytes or a text file having encoded binary data.

In Linux and Unix-like operating systems, .bin files contain machine code in it and can be executed on the system. All the data encoded in binary files cannot be readable by humans. These files can store anything except text.

How to Execute Binary Files in Linux:

To execute a binary file in a system, all you need to do is work as a super user with all privileges and permissions.

To run binary files on a Linux system, we need to make it executable by accessing them using a terminal. It can be done by following 3 steps.

    1. Open the command-line prompt by pressing ctrl+alt+t.
    2. The next step is to run without giving permission.
$ chmod +x sample.bin

 

Now, the file is ready to run on Linux system, again open the terminal and type the command:

$ ./sample.bin

 

In this file doesn’t open and shows permission denied message, use sudo in command and run it again:

$ sudo ./sample.bin

 

Conclusion

The .bin files are the binary files that contain information to be executed in a system. They are encoded with machine code and cannot be readable. The article has shown how we can make binary files executable by giving them permission. These files cannot be executed without permission access and sudo privileges.

About the author

Syeda Wardah Batool

I am a Software Engineer Graduate and Self Motivated Linux writer. I also love to read latest Linux books. Moreover, in my free time, i love to read books on Personal development.