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.
Example 1: Using The whois Command
The command:
example% whois Smithlooks for the name or handle SMITH.
The command:
example% whois !SRI-NIClooks for the handle SRI-NIC only.
The command:
example% whois .Smith, Johnlooks 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(5) for descriptions of the following attributes:
| ATTRIBUTE TYPE | ATTRIBUTE VALUE |
| Availability | SUNWrcmdc |
attributes(5)