The meaning of "must not modify" wrt. passwd, shadow etc.

[Ben Armstrong <synrg@sanctuary.nslug.ns.ca>]

Please CC me on all replies as I am not subscribed to this list.

In Debian Policy 3.5.6.0 section 10.2.1 it says:

    Packages other than base-passwd must not modify /etc/passwd,
    /etc/shadow, /etc/group or /etc/gshadow.

This is followed by a discussion about how packages can modify these
files using adduser.

What does "modify" mean in this context.  Is it really "provide",
"replace", or "overwrite"?  I believe this note should be clearer.

Thanks,
Ben
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    nSLUG       http://www.nslug.ns.ca      synrg@sanctuary.nslug.ns.ca
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