[SOLVED] How to create user by editing /etc/passwd file?

[rah_jad]

I am new to linux pls help me

I have created a new user by editing /etc/passwd file
gb:502:502:grodan brown user:/home/gb:bin/bash
After saving this file I get a message "would you like to edit /etc/shadow file"
What is "shadow file" and why it is asking to edit it.
What all steps needs to be done if creating a user through the /etc/passwd file.

[jhaxxar]

I am a new Linux user too, but someone point me to using

"system-config-users", which comes with RH.

At a command promtp type "system-config-users &", without the quotes.
This brings up a GUI. Click on "New User", enter the users username and password, tell it where the user home dir is to be and click "OK". It does
the rest.

[rah_jad]

Thanx for the reply, but I want to do it from the passwd file.....

[jhaxxar]

Why do it the hard way when RH give you a GUI that does it for you. Unless you really want to do it the manual way. In that case, go for it.

[Lazydog]

Use useradd to do this. Editing the passwd and shadow files by hand is not advised for a newbie.

[rah_jad]

Thanx for the reply, but I wants to know the steps to create user through passwd file

[Lazydog]

What possible reason could you have for wanting to add a user other then the 2 recommended way listed above?
You have been given both the CLI and the GUI way of doing it.
They will populate the proper files with the proper information.
No users mistakes.

[smolloy]

What possible reason could you have for wanting to add a user other then the 2 recommended way listed above?

Probably because he wants to learn more about his system, which is an admirable goal in itself.

Unfortunately I don't know the answer to the question, but I'm now intrigued enough that I'll be watching this thread to see if a good answer appears.


EDIT: Here's some good info on the shadow file.

[Lazydog]

Probably because he wants to learn more about his system, which is an admirable goal in itself.

And I would agree with this if the person had a more advance understanding of how the linux system worked. This is not a question a beginner would ask, and would be happy knowing how to add a user with as much ease as possible.

His words, "I am new to linux pls help me".

This being the internet you trust no one. This is the type of question a cracker would be asking because they cannot use the tools that are provided by the system or afraid to use the tools for being caught.

I have no problem helping people but when you ask questions that are out there then I take the 'show them the correct way of doing it' and if that is not enough use caution. My red flag has been raised for this question.

[rah_jad]

Hi All, It seems that everyone is suspecting because I have used the words "I am new to linux pls help me" and asking a complicated question (for me). I am reading RH302(edition5) and in CH-01 there is a practice question to create user by editing the /etc/passwd file. I tired it and able to create the user also, but when I logs in from that user it wont allow me to run any command an gives "permission denied".