Module 15 chfn (BSD)
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Module 15
chfn (BSD)
DESCRIPTION
The external chfn command allows you to change the information field in the system password file /etc/passwd. An alternative command to chfn is passwd -f . Either of these commands displays the current information stored in the fifth field of the /etc/passwd file. This information is referred to as the GECOS information. The fifth field consists of several subfields, which are comma separated. You are prompted for new information to replace each of these subfields. The fifth field usually includes the following subfields for each user :
| + | real life name |
| + | office room number |
| + | office phone number |
| + | home phone number |
The prompt contains the existing value of the subfields within square brackets ([subfield value]). The existing value is retained by simply pressing Return. If you want the field to be empty, type the word none at the prompt. Phone numbers may or may not contain hyphens.
It is advisable to run the finger command after running chfn or passwd -f .
The super-user can change any user s GECOS information. You can only change your own GECOS information as a normal user. It is a description of the user of the account. The finger program displays this information.
COMMAND FORMAT
Following is the general format of the chfn command.
chfn [ user_name ]
or
passwd -f [ user_name ]
Options
The following list describes the option used to control passwd to function like chfn .
| -f | Informs passwd to execute the chfn function to change the GECOS information stored in the /etc/passwd file. |
Arguments
The following argument may be used to change how chfn functions.
| user_name | Causes chfn to change the information for the specified user instead of the user executing chfn . |
RELATED COMMANDS
Refer to the passwd and finger commands described in modules 100 and 56.
RELATED FILES
The chfn command updates the information in the fifth field of the /etc/passwd file. The fields in the /etc/passwd file are separated by colons.
APPLICATIONS
You will need to use the chfn command to keep the information pertaining to your office room number and phone numbers updated.
TYPICAL OPERATION
In this activity you use the chfn command to change your office phone number. Begin at the shell prompt. The information in the prompts will be different for each user s login. Use your actual office phone number in the following command.
- 1. Type chfn and press Return . You will be prompted as follows ; press Return after each prompt that you do not want to update.
cj> chfn Name [David Hancock]: <CR> Room Number (Exs: 597E or 197C) [69]: <CR> Office Phone (Ex: 1632) [474]: 483<CR> Home Phone (Ex: 987532) [555-1212]: none<CR>
- 2. Turn to Module 38 to continue the learning sequence.
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EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 144