What does the command passwd -S username do?

The command passwd -S username is used to display the status of the specified user's password in a Linux system. This includes information such as whether the password is set, when it was last changed, and whether the account is locked or active. It provides a concise overview of the user's password-related settings without modifying anything.

Understanding the specific components of the command helps clarify its function. The -S option stands for "status" and directs the passwd command to output information about the password status rather than attempting any changes or modifications to the password or user account itself. This provides important insights for system administrators regarding account security and password policies.