SU(1) General Commands Manual SU(1)
NAME
su - temporarily log in as superuser or another user
SYNOPSIS
su [name]
EXAMPLES
su # Become superuser
su ast # Become ast
DESCRIPTION
Su can be used to temporarily login as another user. It prompts for the superuser password. If the correct password is entered, su cre-
ates a shell with the desired uid. If no name is specified, root is assumed. To exit the temporary shell, type CTRL-D. When memory is
tight, it is better to become superuser by logging out and then logging in again as root, rather than using su since the latter creates an
extra shell in memory. Any user with a zero group id need not type a password. This makes life easier for the system administrator.
SEE ALSO
login(1).
SU(1)
