Identification Interfaces

Identification interfaces perform user and group identity functions. The identification interfaces store and retrieve user and group identifiers and account information.

The identification interfaces divide information into three different categories: user, group, and system. User information consists of the user name, user and primary group identifiers, home directory, login shell and other attributes specific to each user account. Group information consists of the group identifier, group member list, and other attributes specific to each group account. System information consists of default values for user and group accounts, and other attributes about the security state of the current system.