# 2.11BSD#431 - /usr/man/cat8/vipw.0

    VIPW(8)             UNIX Programmer's Manual		  VIPW(8)

    NAME
         vipw - edit the password file

    SYNOPSIS
         vipw

    DESCRIPTION
         Vipw edits the password file while setting the appropriate
         locks, and does any necessary processing after the password
         file is unlocked.	If the password file is already being
         edited, then you will be told to try again later.	The vi
         editor will be used unless the environment variable EDITOR
         indicates an alternate editor.

         Vipw performs a number of consistency checks on the password
         entries, and will not allow a password file with a ``man-
         gled'' entry to be installed.  If vipw rejects the new pass-
         word file, the user is prompted to re-enter the edit ses-
         sion.

         Once the information has been verified, vipw uses
         mkpasswd(8) to update the user database.  This is run in the
         background, and, at very large sites could take several
         minutes.  Until this update is completed, the password file
         is unavailable for other updates and the new information
         will not be available to programs.

    SEE ALSO
         chpass(1), passwd(1), passwd(5), adduser(8), mkpasswd(8)

    Printed 11/26/99	 March 11, 1989                         1

Generated: 2016-12-26 | Generated by man2html V0.25 page hit count: 743 |