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ps command displays UID instead of username

This document (7008818) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 4
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 1

Situation

Output of ps command is only displaying the UID for one specific user, rather than their full username.

Sample:

root           1446     1         0 Jun09 ?        00:00:01   [kjournald]
root           1449     1         0 Jun09 ?        00:00:00   [kjournald]
daemon    1577     1         0 00:00 ?          00:00:01  /usr/sbin/slpd
root           1636     1         0 Jun09 ?        00:00:00  /sbin/resmgrd
11032         1645 17252     0 10:10 ?          00:00:00  dscs 4 0 0
11032         1646  1645      0 10:10 ?          00:00:08  dsapi_slave 7 6 0

Resolution

This is known behavior across Linux distributions.  Usernames longer than 8 characters exceed the allowed length of the output column for ps, and as such, the command only returns the UID for the user.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7008818
  • Creation Date: 15-Jun-2011
  • Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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