- A
Their files will show a missing GID in directory listings
The group is gone, so the numeric GID appears instead of a group name.
- B
The system will recreate the group automatically
Why wrong: No automatic recreation occurs.
- C
Their primary group will be changed to their UID
Why wrong: The primary group GID in /etc/passwd remains as the old GID; it does not automatically change.
- D
They will be unable to log in
Why wrong: Login is not affected by a missing group.
Question 166 of 537
What Happens When You Delete a Primary Group? Files Show Missing GID; Users Still Log In
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator accidentally deleted the group 'sales' which is the primary group of several users. What is the immediate effect on those users?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Their files will show a missing GID in directory listings
When a group is deleted, the system does not retroactively change the GID stored in the /etc/passwd file for users whose primary group was that group. The GID field in /etc/passwd still contains the numeric GID of the deleted group, but since the group no longer exists in /etc/group, the system cannot resolve that GID to a group name. As a result, commands like ls -l will display the numeric GID instead of the group name for files owned by those users, because the GID-to-name mapping fails.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Their files will show a missing GID in directory listings
Why this is correct
The group is gone, so the numeric GID appears instead of a group name.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The system will recreate the group automatically
Why it's wrong here
No automatic recreation occurs.
- ✗
Their primary group will be changed to their UID
Why it's wrong here
The primary group GID in /etc/passwd remains as the old GID; it does not automatically change.
- ✗
They will be unable to log in
Why it's wrong here
Login is not affected by a missing group.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that deleting a group will prevent users from logging in or will automatically reassign their primary group. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux, login is unaffected and the GID remains in /etc/passwd until manually changed, so files will show the numeric GID instead of the group name.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the group database is stored in /etc/group, and the GID-to-name resolution is performed by the NSS (Name Service Switch) library, typically via the 'group' database. When a group is deleted, getgrgid() calls fail, causing utilities like ls to fall back to displaying the raw GID. In a real-world scenario, this can lead to permission confusion if administrators rely on group names in ACLs or scripts, and the orphaned GID may inadvertently match a newly created group with a different purpose.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Manage users and groups — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Their files will show a missing GID in directory listings — When a group is deleted, the system does not retroactively change the GID stored in the /etc/passwd file for users whose primary group was that group. The GID field in /etc/passwd still contains the numeric GID of the deleted group, but since the group no longer exists in /etc/group, the system cannot resolve that GID to a group name. As a result, commands like ls -l will display the numeric GID instead of the group name for files owned by those users, because the GID-to-name mapping fails.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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