SU(1) COMMAND REFERENCE SU(1) NAME su - substitute userid temporarily SYNOPSIS su [ - ] [ -e ] [ -f ] [ username ] DESCRIPTION Su demands the password of the specified username, and if it is given, changes to that username and invokes the Shell sh(1sh) without changing the current directory. The user environment is unchanged except for HOME and SHELL, which are taken from the password file for the user being substituted (see environ(7)), unless the -e option is given. The new userid stays in force until the Shell exits. If no username is specified, root is assumed. To remind the superuser of his or her responsibilities, the Shell substitutes # for its usual prompt. When a user attempts to su to root (or any username with a userid of 0), the attempt is reported to the system via syslog(3c). This applies to all attempts, including those where an invalid password is given. OPTIONS - Execute the shell as -su, causing the startup file ( .profile or .login) to be read. -e Use the original user's environment. With this option, the substituted user's powers are given, but the user uses current environment variables and aliases (only in csh(1csh)). -f Execute the shell with the -f flag. (This only works with csh(1csh)). VARIABLES HOME The home directory for the given username. SHELL The login shell for the given username. USER The given username. TERM The type of terminal being used. RETURN VALUE The exit code for a successful execution of su is that of the shell that was executed. [1] The username given is not in the password file. Printed 5/12/88 1
SU(1) COMMAND REFERENCE SU(1) [2] The password given was incorrect. [3] The groupid for the given username could not be set. [4] The groups for the username could not be set. [5] The username could not be set. [6] Could not change directory to the home directory for the given username. [7] The shell program could not be executed. [NP_ERR] An error occurred that was not a system error. Execution terminated. CAVEATS When substituting a username which has no execute or read permission in the current directory, the shell may not be able to execute commands from the startup file. Su can not check for this possibility, since some username's do not execute shells. If the basename of the shell to be executed is not csh, the -f option is ignored. SEE ALSO csh(1csh), sh(1sh), and environ(7). Printed 5/12/88 2
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