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, 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 entry for root, and will not allow a password file with an incorrectly formatted root entry to be installed.

WARNINGS

An /etc/ptmp file not removed when a system crashes prevents further editing of the /etc/passwd file using vipw after the system is rebooted. 

AUTHOR

Vipw was developed by the University of California, Berkeley. 

FILES

/etc/ptmp

SEE ALSO

passwd(1), passwd(4). 

Hewlett-Packard Company  —  May 11, 2021