As discovered by tb, different man pages call /etc/passwd different things. The legacy of these files is not, however, relevant to their daily operation and some 20 30? years later, "this file is like that one but different" is more confusing than helpful.
Are there other references to 6th edition or whatever? Index: usr.sbin/pwd_mkdb/pwd_mkdb.8 =================================================================== RCS file: /cvs/src/usr.sbin/pwd_mkdb/pwd_mkdb.8,v retrieving revision 1.25 diff -u -p -r1.25 pwd_mkdb.8 --- usr.sbin/pwd_mkdb/pwd_mkdb.8 9 May 2016 11:13:10 -0000 1.25 +++ usr.sbin/pwd_mkdb/pwd_mkdb.8 14 Aug 2016 05:50:39 -0000 @@ -60,8 +60,6 @@ The .Ar file must be in the correct format (see .Xr passwd 5 ) . -It is important to note that the format used in this system is -different from the historic 6th Edition-style format. .Pp The options are as follows: .Bl -tag -width Ds @@ -125,7 +123,7 @@ exits zero on success, non-zero on failu .It Pa /etc/master.passwd current password file .It Pa /etc/passwd -a 6th Edition-style password file +insecure password file .It Pa /etc/pwd.db insecure password database file .It Pa /etc/pwd.db.tmp Index: usr.sbin/vipw/vipw.8 =================================================================== RCS file: /cvs/src/usr.sbin/vipw/vipw.8,v retrieving revision 1.12 diff -u -p -r1.12 vipw.8 --- usr.sbin/vipw/vipw.8 13 Mar 2015 19:58:41 -0000 1.12 +++ usr.sbin/vipw/vipw.8 14 Aug 2016 05:51:43 -0000 @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ will be invoked instead of the default e .It Pa /etc/master.passwd Current password file. .It Pa /etc/passwd -A Version 7 format password file. +Insecure password file. .It Pa /etc/ptmp Password lock file. .It Pa /etc/pwd.db
