Re: Question on the use of "/nonexistent"

[Jason Franklin <jason@oneway.dev>]

On Sat, 2021-12-18 at 10:16 -0800, Russ Allbery wrote:
> The documentation says simply:
> 
>        --no-create-home
>               Do not create the home directory, even if it doesn't exist.
> 
> Passing --no-create-home therefore does not *change* the home directory,
> and should not change the home directory, since that would defeat its
> entire purpose.  The home directory is still set the same as before,
> including any defaults.  adduser just doesn't try to create it or check if
> it exists, because this should be handled external to adduser.
> 
> If a user should have a nonexistent home directory, --home /nonexistent
> should be passed to adduser.

I follow you.  This is an important distinction.

I suppose a note in the documentation could clarify things for users who
may not be aware of these other usage scenarios.

Thanks!

-- 
Jason Franklin