NAME

chfn − change full name of user

SYNOPSIS

chfn name string

DESCRIPTION

Chfn is a command similar to passwd(1), except it is used to change the gcos field of the password file rather than the password entry. Note that the specified string replaces the entire gecos field of the specified user. If (as on the UCB system) this field contains information in addition to the user’s full name, this information must be included in string or it is deleted. (Hence chfn can be used to fix phone numbers, offices, etc.)

An example of this command is as follows:

chfn mark ´& Horton,508E,7686,5240633´

Note that generally the string must be quoted to shield blanks and special characters from the shell.  The field should consist of the user’s name, office number, the last 4 digits of his office extension and finally, his home phone number.  Any of these entries can be omitted.  There should be no spaces in the entry, except for those in a name. 

It is recommended to run finger(1) on the user before and after chfn to make ensure data is formatted correctly. 

SEE ALSO

finger(1), passwd(5), chsh(1), passwd(1)

AUTHOR

Mark Horton

BUGS

The encoding of the office and extension information is installation dependent. 

A new user-information data base is in process of development which will supplant this program. 

4th Berkeley Distribution  —  @(#)chfn.11.1%Q%%Y%