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 operatingsystem 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.

(1997-03-01)