$home/manuals/unix_v8/8/su

SU(8)                       System Manager's Manual                      SU(8)

NAME
       su - substitute user id temporarily

SYNOPSIS
       /etc/su [ user ]

DESCRIPTION
       Su  demands  the  password for the login name user, and if it is given,
       changes to that userid and invokes the Shell sh(1) without changing the
       current directory.  The user environment is unchanged except  for  HOME
       and  SHELL,  which  are taken from the password file for the user being
       substituted (see environ(5)).  The new userid stays in force until  the
       Shell exits.

       If  no  user is specified, ‘root' is assumed.  To remind the super-user
       of his responsibilities,  the  Shell  substitutes  ‘#'  for  its  usual
       prompt.

SEE ALSO
       sh(1)

                                                                         SU(8)