std-unix@ut-sally.UUCP (04/07/87)
There's been a bit of discussion on UNIX-WIZARDS as to why POSIX doesn't include mechanisms for modifying the password database. I.e., it does include getpwent() to get entries from the database (without specifying whether the database is kept in a file or not), but does not include putpwent() or anything like it. Basically, POSIX is intended to promote portability of application programs. System administration functions (including at least just about anything that requires super-user privileges) are almost by definition not ordinary application programs, and the methods needed to implement them will likely vary radically from underlying system to system, anyway. As another example, POSIX includes getgroups(), but not setgroups(). The Full Use Standard will have an appendix ``Rationale and Notes'' to explain things like this. If you have a favorite nit to pick, obscure section, omission, or ambiguity in the Trial Use standard, please submit it to this newsgroup (mail to std-unix@sally.utexas.edu) or, if you just want it considered for the Rationale, but not posted, send it to the moderator (mail to std-unix-request@sally.utexas.edu). Sally.utexas.edu is the same as ut-sally on UUCP mail network. Volume-Number: Volume 11, Number 3