NAME

su  −  become privileged user

SYNOPSIS

su

DESCRIPTION

Su allows one to become the super-user, who has all sorts of marvelous (and correspondingly dangerous) powers.  In order for su to do its magic, the user must supply a password.  If the password is correct, su will execute the Shell with the UID set to that of the super-user.  To restore normal UID privileges, type an end-of-file to the super-user Shell.  The password demanded is that of the entry “root” in the system’s password file. To remind the super-user of his responsibilities, the Shell substitutes ‘#’ for its usual prompt ‘%’.

SEE ALSO

sh (I)