The getent (get entries) command is designed to retrieve entries from administrative databases specified in the Name Service Switch configuration (/etc/nsswitch.conf). Using getent passwd accounting specifically queries the password database for the user "accounting." The output format mirrors the /etc/passwd file, providing the username, user ID (UID), group ID (GID), GECOS field, home directory, and the user's assigned login shell. This single command provides all the information requested in the question, making it the most direct and correct tool for the task.

B. The id command displays the user ID (UID), group ID (GID), and group memberships, but it does not show the user's home directory or default shell.

C. The /etc/shadow file contains secure user account information like password hashes and aging policies, not the user's home directory or assigned shell.

D. The who command lists users who are currently logged into the system. It does not provide the detailed account configuration information requested.

1. The GNU C Library. (2023). Manual

Section 30.1 The Name Service Switch. The documentation explains that getent displays entries from databases supported by the Name Service Switch

which includes passwd.

2. Canonical Ltd. (2023). Ubuntu Server Guide

User Management

User Information. The guide details the use of commands like getent to look up user information from various sources

including local files and network services.

3. Linux man-pages project. (2023). getent(1) Manual Page. The manual page explicitly states getent retrieves entries from NSS databases and shows the syntax getent database [key ...].