SU(1) BSD SU(1)
NAME
su - substitute user ID temporarily
SYNOPSIS
su [ -f ] [ - ] [ userid ]
DESCRIPTION
su permits the temporary substitution of a new user ID. Before allowing
this change, however, it demands the password of the specified userid,
and if it is given, su changes to that userid and invokes the appropriate
shell without changing the current directory. The user environment is
unchanged except for HOME, SHELL, and USER which are taken from the
account information for the user being substituted (see environ(7)). The
new user ID stays in force until the shell exits.
If you specify no userid, "root" is assumed. To remind the super users
of their responsibilities, the shell substitutes a pound sign (#) for its
usual prompt.
OPTIONS
-f Prevent csh(1) from executing the .cshrc file, thus making su start
up faster.
- Simulate a full login. This option must be followed by a space if
specified with userid.
NOTES
You must belong to the group ID "0" to su to "root".
SEE ALSO
sh(1), csh(1), passwd_override(5)