whois(1)							   User Commands							  whois(1)

NAME

       whois - Internet user name directory service

SYNOPSIS

       whois [-h host] identifier

DESCRIPTION

       whois  searches	for  an  Internet directory entry for an identifier which is either a name (such as ``Smith'') or a handle (such as ``SRI-
       NIC''). To force a name-only search, precede the name with a period; to force a handle-only search, precede the handle with an  exclamation
       point.

       To  search  for	a  group or organization entry, precede the argument with * (an asterisk). The entire membership list of the group will be
       displayed with the record.

       You may of course use an exclamation point and asterisk, or a period and asterisk together.

EXAMPLES

       Example 1 Using The whois Command

       The command:

	 example% whois Smith

       looks for the name or handle SMITH.

       The command:

	 example% whois !SRI-NIC

       looks for the handle SRI-NIC only.

       The command:

	 example% whois .Smith, John

       looks for the name JOHN SMITH only.

       Adding ... to the name or handle argument will match anything from that point; that is, ZU ... will match ZUL, ZUM, and so on.

ATTRIBUTES

       See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attributes:

       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
       |      ATTRIBUTE TYPE	     |	    ATTRIBUTE VALUE	   |
       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
       |Availability		     |SUNWrcmdc 		   |
       +-----------------------------+-----------------------------+

SEE ALSO

       attributes(5)

SunOS 5.11							    6 Nov 2000								  whois(1)