man(1) Manual page archive


     LOGIN(1)                                                 LOGIN(1)

     NAME
          login  -  sign on

     SYNOPSIS
          login [ username ]

     DESCRIPTION
          The login command is used when a user initially signs on, or
          it may be used at any time to change from one user to
          another.  The latter case is the one summarized above and
          described here.  See `How to Get Started' for how to dial up
          initially.

          If login is invoked without an argument, it asks for a user
          name, and, if appropriate, a password.  Echoing is turned
          off (if possible) during the typing of the password, so it
          will not appear on the written record of the session.

          After a successful login, accounting files are updated and
          the user is informed of the existence of .mail and message-
          of-the-day files.  Login initializes the user and group IDs
          and the working directory, then executes a command inter-
          preter (usually sh(1)) according to specifications found in
          a password file.  Argument 0 of the command interpreter is
          `-sh.

          Login is recognized by sh(1) and executed directly (without
          forking).

     FILES
          /etc/utmp      accounting
          /usr/adm/wtmp  accounting
          /usr/mail/*    mail
          /etc/motd      message-of-the-day
          /etc/passwd    password file

     SEE ALSO
          init(8), newgrp(1), getty(8), mail(1), passwd(1), passwd(5)

     DIAGNOSTICS
          `Login incorrect,' if the name or the password is bad.
          `No Shell', `cannot open password file', `no directory':
          consult a programming counselor.