Which file contains user account information in Linux?

The file that contains user account information in Linux is /etc/passwd. This file is essential as it stores basic details about each user on the system, including the username, user ID (UID), group ID (GID), user description, home directory, and the default shell that the user will use when they log in.

Each line in /etc/passwd represents a single user account and is structured with several fields, separated by colons. These fields allow the system to access important information that is needed for user management, authentication, and shell login.

While there are other important files related to user accounts, such as /etc/shadow, which contains encrypted passwords and additional security data, and /etc/group, which defines groups of users, /etc/passwd remains the primary file for user account details. The inclusion of other files signifies their role in the broader user management system, yet /etc/passwd is where the fundamental account information is stored. Hence, this distinction highlights the significance of /etc/passwd in Linux user account management.