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  iden-
     tifier  which is either a name (such as ``Smith'') or a han-
     dle (such as ``SRI-NIC''). To force a name-only search, pre-
     cede  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.







SunOS 5.11           Last change: 6 Nov 2000                    1






User Commands                                            whois(1)



     The command:


       example% whois .Smith, John




     looks for the name JOHN SMITH only.



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


ATRIBUTES
     See attributes(5) for descriptions of the  following  attri-
     butes:



     
           ATRIBUTE TYPE               ATRIBUTE VALUE       
    
     Availability                 SUNWrcmdc                   
    


SEE ALSO
     attributes(5)























SunOS 5.11           Last change: 6 Nov 2000                    2