Linux is a widely-used open-source operating system that has become popular among developers and tech enthusiasts worldwide. One of the key elements of Linux is the concept of permissions, which helps to secure the system and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

In Linux, permissions are assigned to files and directories, determining who can access, modify, or execute them. There are three basic permission types in Linux: read (r), write (w), and execute (x). These permissions are assigned to three categories of users: the owner of the file or directory, the group the file or directory belongs to, and all other users.

When you see the term "chmod" or "chown" in Linux, it's related to changing permissions. The command "chmod" is used to change the permissions of a file or directory, while "chown" is used to change the ownership.

Now, let's talk about what "then" means in Linux. In Linux, "then" is a keyword used in conditional statements to execute a block of code when a certain condition is met. For example, you can use an "if...then...else" statement in a shell script to perform different actions based on a given condition.

Here is an example of how "then" is used in a shell script:

```bash
#!/bin/bash

echo "Enter a number:"
read num

if [ $num -gt 0 ]; then
echo "The number is positive."
elif [ $num -lt 0 ]; then
echo "The number is negative."
else
echo "The number is zero."
fi
```

In this script, the "then" keyword is used after each conditional statement to indicate the block of code that should be executed if the condition is true. This helps to organize the code and make it more readable.

Overall, understanding the meaning of "then" in Linux is essential for writing effective shell scripts and performing conditional logic. By mastering the use of keywords like "then" and understanding how permissions work in Linux, you can become more proficient in using this powerful operating system.