VIPW(8)

NAME
vipw - edit the password file

SYNOPSIS
vipw

DESCRIPTION
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 variable 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 ALSO
chpass(1), passwd(1), passwd(5), adduser(8), mkpasswd(8)