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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site watmath.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!rjhurdal
From: rjhurdal@watmath.UUCP (David Canzi)
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards,net.bugs
Subject: Re: MAJOR BUG (what a hooter!)
Message-ID: <7562@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Apr-84 16:33:51 EST
Article-I.D.: watmath.7562
Posted: Wed Apr 18 16:33:51 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Apr-84 03:42:27 EST
References: <2421@allegra.UUCP>, <301@ucbvax.UUCP>
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 9

Yes, you can call it a feature if you want, since it was obviously
deliberately put there.
But, if the first five or the last five lines of /etc/passwd contain a userid
or encrypted password ending in "vi", "ex", "vx", or "ei", then using "vipw"
becomes a risky business.
This feature is a trap waiting to spring on the unwary, and such features are
unwelcome in any programming language, operating system, or text editor.  It
obviously serves a purpose, but some safer way ought to be found to accomplish
this purpose.