GECOS field
The fifth field of a password file entry, holding a free-text description such as the user's full name.
In more detail
useradd -c and usermod -c set it. The name comes from an old operating system whose information the field once carried.
Example
In mira:x:2001:2001:Mira Okafor:/home/mira:/bin/bash the GECOS field is Mira Okafor.Related terms
- /etc/passwd — The world-readable file that lists local accounts, one per line: name, UID, GID, description, home directory and login shell, separated by colons.
- useradd — The command that creates a user account.
Taught in
- Account Files: Every Answer Is A Field — LPIC-1 Linux Administrator (101-500 and 102-500) Exam Prep