"/etc/shadow-" What is the purpose of this file?

Bad dog!!!(Not being disparaging, just being cute)
They are important files.

/etc/passwd - User information
/etc/gshadow - User passwords.
/etc/group - Group information
/etc/gshadow - Group passwords and administrator info.

Sundar



JM wrote:

>What is the purpose for the file /etc/shadow-
>or for the files
>/etc/passwd-
>/etc/gshadow-
>/etc/group-
>
>These files are nearly identical to their
>cognates in content and file attributes.
>Is there a simple explanation for maintaining
>these files along with the standard file:
>
>/etc/shadow, /etc/passwd, /etc/gshadow, /etc/group ?
>
>Is the a common convention for other Unix-like systems?
>
>My reason for asking is that this is a minor inconvenience
>when hiding this /etc/shadow- file and what programs may
>be using this file.
>
>Jerry M.
>a RedHat user
>
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