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How Is User Account Information Stored in Linux?
Understanding the /etc/passwd file and why is it important
One of the most important pieces that allows Linux to be a truly multi-user is a file known as /etc/passwd. This guide will show you all the important details you need to know about this important file and the role it plays.
Why Is the /etc/passwd File Important?
Like most configuration files in Linux, the /etc/passwd file is an ASCII text file that you can easily view, or edit using any text editor such as vim , nano or VS Code, etc.
The main purpose of the /etc/passwd file is to keep a list of all user accounts and to facilitate easy management of users on your system.
Take note, although you can add, edit and remove user information from the /etc/passwd file directly, please, avoid the temptation because you risk making errors. Instead, use user management tools/commands such as useradd, usermod etc for this.
Viewing /etc/passwd File
You can use the use the cat command to view the content of the /etc/passwd file.
cat /etc/passwd your output should be similar to the one below.
