[SOLVED] Using "chown -r"

[Lightning25]

Hi, I'm going to be honest - I'm not very experienced. My question isn't about how to solve a problem.
But I need someone to explain to me, in a way a real person can understand, how to use the "-r" operative of the command "chown". Everything just says it's recursive, but my math class never covered that in enough detail.
I'd prefer a patient and non-aggressive response, please. I'd just like answers.
Thanks!

[rcgreen]

To the best of my knowledge, if you apply the command
to a directory, it will apply to all of its contents, including
other directories and all their contents comprehensively.

[Lightning25]

To the best of my knowledge, if you apply the command
to a directory, it will apply to all of its contents, including
other directories and all their contents comprehensively.

Then why not just apply 'chown' straight to the directory? Won't that give the same effect?

[coopstah13]

chown without the recursive flag will only apply to the item you are applying it to, any contents below that will retain their original ownership, with the recursive flag however, every item beyond the item you apply it to will gain the new ownership, including directories and their sub directories and files

[elija]

Assume the following directory structure

/parent/
    /dir1/
        file 1
        file 2
    /dir2/
        file 1
    file 1
    file 2

running chown in /parent will affect /dir1/ (but not the files in it) /dir 2/ (but not the files) in it and the files in /parent/

running chown -R in /parent will affect everything under parent including their contents and so on down the tree

[Lightning25]

Oh, I get it now.
Thanks a bunch, guys.

[saivin]

Btw, its 'chown -R' not 'chown -r'.

[elija]

Btw, its 'chown -R' not 'chown -r'.

Quite right. Can't edit my post though

[MikeTbob]

Quite right. Can't edit my post though

Wow, it magically fixed itself!