Linux : /etc/passwd vs /usr/bin/passwd (passwd Utility) vs /etc/shadow vs /etc/group

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50904342/etc-passwd-vs-usr-bin-passwd

The two files are different, and serve different purpose.

• /etc/passwd is user database (fun fact: contrary to its name, it doesn't store passwords - those are stored (possibly in hashed form) in /etc/shadow) - see man 5 passwd (i.e. passwd(5)), man 5 shadow (i.e. shadow(5)).

• /usr/bin/passwd is utility that is supposed to modify user records stored in /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow. See man 1 passwd (i.e. passwd(1))