unable to chown a directory recursiverly "unknown user id"

Question

I trying to chown the directory for changing the permissions of the directory. But it shows some error as unknown user id

I tried to chown using the command : chown -R www-data [directory name]

it shows the error as unknown user id www-data

How to get rid of this.

Solution

Your problem is simple, that user/id doesn't exist:

$ chown adsfadsf files
chown: invalid user: ‘adsfadsf’

Verify the user exist and try again.

Comments

[vonbrand]

Creating the www-data user...

[derobert]

I'm guessing you're using a guide for a Debian-based distro which has a www-data user, except you're trying to use the guide on a distro that doesn't have that user. Please point to the guide and tell us what distro you're using.

[GIRI]

yes, you are true. I'm using Debian-based distro, actually this problem occurred in webdesigning in drupal. I couldn't get write permissions for a directory.

[derobert]

If you're using a Debian-based distro, you should have a www-data user. I'd figure out why you don't.

[GIRI]

do you mean I need to check for the user id : www-data ????

[GIRI]

i found it (www-data) some where in the web as it is used to change the user permissions.

[Ludwig Schulze]

@GIRI I have no idea of what are you doing.... really.