Difference between Access, Modification and Change Time in Linux? (dextutor.com)
Access Time: is the time when the file was last accessed or read. For example, using the cat, head or an editor. But remember you did not modify the contents.
Modification Time: is the time when the contents of the file was last modified. For example, you used an editor to add new content or delete some existing content.
Change Time: is the time when the file’s inode has been changed. For example, by changing permissions, ownership, file name, number of hard links.
