user name

operating system, security (Or "logon") A unique name for

each user of computer services which can be accessed by

several persons.

Users need to identify themselves for accounting, security,

logging, and resource management. Usually a person must

also enter a password in order to access a service. Once

the user has logged on the operating system will often use a

(short) user identifier, e.g. an integer, to refer to them

rather than their user name.

User names can usually be any short string of alphanumeric

characters. Common choices are first name, initials, or some

combination of first name, last name, initials and an

arbitrary number. User names are often assigned by systemadministrators according to some local policy, or they may be

chosen by the users themselves.

User names are often also used as mailbox names in

electronic mail addresses.

(1997-03-16)