getgrent(3)getgrent(3)Name
getgrent, getgrgid, getgrnam, setgrent, endgrent - get group entry
Syntax
#include <grp.h>
struct group *getgrent()
struct group *getgrgid(gid)
gid_t gid;
struct group *getgrnam(name)
char *name;
void setgrent()
void endgrent()Description
The and subroutines each return pointers to an object with the follow‐
ing structure containing the broken-out fields of a line in the group
database:
struct group { /* see getgrent(3) */
char *gr_name;
char *gr_passwd;
int gr_gid;
char **gr_mem;
};
struct group *getgrent(), *getgrgid(), *getgrnam();
The members of this structure are:
gr_name The name of the group.
gr_passwd The encrypted password of the group.
gr_gid The numerical group-ID.
gr_mem Null-terminated vector of pointers to the individual member
names.
A call to has the effect of rewinding the group file to allow repeated
searches. The may be called to close the group database when process‐
ing is complete.
The subroutine simply reads the next line while and search until a
matching gid or name is found (or until EOF is encountered). The sub‐
routine keeps a pointer in the database, allowing successive calls to
be used to search the entire file.
A call to must be made before a loop using in order to perform initial‐
ization and an must be used after the loop. Both and make calls to and
Restrictions
All information is contained in a static area so it must be copied if
it is to be saved.
If YP is running, does not return the entries in any particular order.
See the Guide to the Yellow Pages Service for setup information.
The group database may also be distributed via the BIND/Hesiod naming
service. See the Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service for more informa‐
tion.
Return Values
A null pointer (0) is returned on EOF or error.
FilesSee Alsogroup(5), svc.conf(5)
Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service
Guide to the Yellow Pages Service
getgrent(3)
