GETPWENT(3)
NAME
getpwent, getpwuid, getpwnam, setpwent, endpwent − get password file entry
USAGE
#include <pwd.h>
struct passwd *getpwent()
struct passwd *getpwuid(uid)
int uid;
struct passwd *getpwnam(name)
char *name;
int setpwent()
int endpwent()
DESCRIPTION
Getpwent, getpwuid and getpwnam each return a pointer to an object with the following structure containing the broken-out fields of a line in the password file.
/*pwd.h4.183/05/03*/
structpasswd { /* see getpwent(3) */
char*pw_name;
char*pw_passwd;
intpw_uid;
intpw_gid;
intpw_quota;
char*pw_comment;
char*pw_gecos;
char*pw_dir;
char*pw_shell;
};
struct passwd *getpwent(), *getpwuid(), *getpwnam();
The fields pw_quota and pw_comment are unused; the others have meanings described in passwd(5).
Getpwent reads the next line (opening the file if necessary); setpwent rewinds the file; endpwent closes it.
Getpwuid and getpwnam search from the beginning until a matching uid or name is found (or until EOF is encountered).
NOTES
All information is contained in a static area so it must be copied if it is to be saved.
DIAGNOSTICS
Null pointer (zero) returned on EOF or error.
FILES
/etc/passwd