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From: ray3rd@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ray E Saddler III)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions
Subject: Putting comments in /etc/passwd; is there a 'better' way?
Message-ID: <1320@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-Jul-87 18:07:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.1320
Posted: Thu Jul  2 18:07:20 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 4-Jul-87 13:09:54 EDT
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Corp., Seattle WA
Lines: 48
Keywords: comments, passwd(1), pound signs, strange results



I have been attempting to comment /etc/passwd with pound signs, like
'cap files and the like to help keep groups distinguished, and notated.
(Yes, I am aware of /etc/group, and I do use it) 8^}

Comments work fine, and don't cause a problem for login(1), but I get
strange entries around the comments after passwd(1) is run.

	Example (before):

#
# Group 200 - Programming staff (vaporware)
# 
bob::201:200:Bob Looper:/user/bob:
#
# Group 500 - Mechanical engineers (widget design)
# 
jim::501:500:Jim Fitt:/user/jim:

	Example (after):

#::0:0:::
# Group 200 - Programming staff (vaporware)
#::0:0:::
bob:VtgjIsR/wsRB.:201:200:Bob Looper:/user/bob:
#::0:0:::
# Group 500 - Mechanical engineers (widget design)
#::0:0:::
jim:MtonSfDT1zPDk:501:500:Jim Fitt:/user/jim:

This in itself causes no problems, but creats an visually ugly file
which defeats my intentions.

Please don't tell me why it's happening, I don't have the source to
hack!

Please do tell me what the best way (if any) to comment /etc/passwd.


***** Thank You For Your Support *****


-- 
Ray E. Saddler III       CAD Support and Administration |    __  __ __       __
Boeing Aerospace Company Ballistic Systems Division     |   / / / //   //| // 
P.O. Box 3999 M.S. 3R-05 Kent Space Center East         |  /-< / //-  // |// _
Seattle, Wa. 98124  USA  (206)657-2824 or (206)657-3369 | /__//_//__ //  //__/