user identifier


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user identifier

(operating system)
1. (Or "uid", "user id") A number or name which is unique to a particular user of a computer or group of computers which share user information. The operating system uses the uid to represent the user in its data structures, e.g. the owner of a file or process, the person attempting to access a system resource etc.

A user database, e.g. Unix's /etc/passwd file or NIS, maps the uid to other information about that user such as their user name, password, home directory and real name.

2. user name.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
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User identifier, (ii) d.id, x, y, h, t, sp, s S1 User profile, (iii) Jacket, skirt, boots, book Todays profile (iv) t: 7:00 pm--p: R-coffee shop (v) f.l (friends List): 13,16,18,22 (i) d.id, x, y, h, s (ii) [it.sub.1], [it.sub.2], ...
For example, on most Unix platforms, there is the concept of a User Identifier (UID), a Group Identifier (GID), and permissions, or modes for owner, group, and all others.
Also, if a password file is not properly protected against writing, a clever perpetrator may be able to edit the password file and insert a bogus but viable self-chosen user identifier and password (encrypted as needed), or to install a variant password file.