NAME

group − group file

SYNOPSIS

/etc/group

DESCRIPTION

For each group, group contains the following fields: group name, encrypted password, numerical group ID, and a comma separated list of all users allowed in the group. 

This is an ASCII file.  The fields are separated by colons; each group is separated from the next by a new-line.  If the password field is null, no password is demanded. 

Because the passwords are encrypted, the file has general read permission and can be used to map numerical group ID’s to names, for example. 

A group file can have a line beginning with a plus (+), which means to incorporate entries from the yellow pages.  There are two styles of + entries: All by itself, + means to insert the entire contents of the yellow pages group file at that point; +name means to insert the entry (if any) for name from the yellow pages at that point.  If a + entry has a non-null password or group member field, the contents of that field overide what is contained in the yellow pages.  The numerical group ID field cannot be overridden. 

EXAMPLE

+myproject:::bill, steve
+:

If these entries appear at the end of a group file, the group myproject has members bill and steve, and the password and group ID of the yellow pages entry for the group myproject. All of the groups listed in the yellow pages are pulled in and placed after the entry for myproject.

FILES

/etc/group
/etc/yp/group

SEE ALSO

passwd(1), setgroups(2), crypt(3), initgroups(3), passwd(5)

BUGS

The passwd(1) command won’t change group passwords.

4BSD