Re: The meaning of "must not modify" wrt. passwd, shadow etc.
On 24-Dec-01, 07:14 (CST), Ben Armstrong <synrg@sanctuary.nslug.ns.ca> wrote:
> 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.
The intent is that other packages not modify those files _except_
through the approved interface of add-user. No sed, awk, perl, etc. The
current wording could be clarified.
Steve
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