Name

group − group file

Description

The group file is an ASCII file that contains the following information for each group:

Group name
Encrypted password
Numerical group ID
Comma-separated list of all users allowed in the group

Each group name is separated from the next by a new line.  The fields are separated by colons.  If the password field is null, no password is demanded. 

Because of the encrypted passwords, it can and does have general read permission and can be used, for example, to map numerical group IDs to names. 

The group database can be distributed in a network by a naming service, such as Yellow Pages or BIND/Hesiod.  See the Guide to the Yellow Pages Service or the Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service for setup information. 

Restrictions

The passwd() command will not change the passwords.

Files

/etc/group

See Also

passwd(1), setgroups(2), crypt(3), getgrent(3), initgroups(3x), passwd(5)
Guide to the BIND/Hesiod Service
Guide to the Yellow Pages Service