linuxpasswd

What does "nam" in getspnam, getpwnam, etc. stand for?


It looks like "nam" means "item" or "entry" in the context of getpwnam or getspnam. What exactly does it stand for?


Solution

  • It means "by name".

    E.g. getpwnam -> get passwd entry by name. Contrast to getpwuid -> get passwd entry by uid.