Gecos field

The gecos field (also written as GECOS field, standing for General Electric Comprehensive Operating System) is an entry in the /etc/passwd file on Unix operating systems that is typically used to record general information about the account or its user(s). Exact information depends on the Unix variant, but for example it may contain real name and phone number.

Format

The typical format for the GECOS field is a comma-delimited list, with this order:

• User's full name or application name (if user is for an application)
• Building and room number or contact person
• Office telephone number
• Any other contact information (pager number, fax, etc)

History

Some early Unix systems at Bell Labs used GECOS machines for print spooling and various other services; in order to accommodate this a field was added to /etc/passwd to carry information for GECOS identity.

See also

• General Comprehensive Operating System