whois - Internet user name directory service
whois [-h host] identifier
whois searches for an Internet directory entry for an identifier which is either a name (such as “Smith”) or a handle (such as “SRI-NIC”). To force a name-only search, precede the name with a period; to force a handle-only search, precede the handle with an exclamation point.
To search for a group or organization entry, precede the argument with * (an asterisk). The entire membership list of the group will be displayed with the record.
You may of course use an exclamation point and asterisk, or a period and asterisk together.
The command:
example% whois Smith
looks for the name or handle SMITH.
The command:
example% whois !SRI-NIC
looks for the handle SRI-NIC only.
The command:
example% whois .Smith, John
looks for the name JOHN SMITH only.
Adding . . . to the name or handle argument will match anything from that point; that is, ZU . . . will match ZUL, ZUM, and so on.
See attributes(7) for descriptions of the following attributes:
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