VIPW(8)VIPW(8)NAMEvipw - edit the password file
SYNOPSISvipwDESCRIPTION
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 vari‐
able 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 ``mangled'' entry to be
installed. If vipw rejects the new password file, the user is prompted
to re-enter the edit session.
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 ALSOchpass(1), passwd(1), passwd(5), adduser(8), mkpasswd(8)4th Berkeley Distribution June 24, 1990 VIPW(8)