user identifier


user identifier

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

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

2. user name.