Gecos field

src: c8.alamy.com

The gecos field, or GECOS field is an entry in/etc/passwd file on Unix, and a similar operating system.

This is usually used to record general information about the account or its users like their real name and phone number.

Video Gecos field

Format

A typical format for the GECOS field is a comma separated list in this order:

1. The full name of the user (or application name, if the account is for the program)
2. Building and room number or contact person
3. Work phone number
4. Home phone number
5. Other contact information (pager number, fax, external e-mail address, etc.)

In most UNIX systems, non-root users can change their own information using the chfn or chsh command.

Maps Gecos field

History

Some early Unix systems at Bell Labs used GECOS machines for spooling printing and various other services, so this field was added to bring the user's GECOS identity information.

src: d2ufo47lrtsv5s.cloudfront.net

Other uses

In Internet Relay Chat (IRC), the real name field is usually referred to as the gecos field. IRC clients are required to provide this field when connecting. Hexchat, X-Chat fork, default for 'realname', TalkSoup.app on default GNUstep to 'John Doe', and irssi reads the full name of the operating system user, replacing it with 'unknown' if not defined. Some IRC clients use this field for advertising; for example, ZNC fails on "Got ZNC?", but changed it to "RealName =" to match configuration syntax in 2015.

src: pbs.twimg.com

See also

• Comprehensive General Operating System

src: d2ufo47lrtsv5s.cloudfront.net

References

Source of the article : Wikipedia