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What is the default lockout time for Ethereum accounts? I know that we can mention the time until which we need the account in unlocked state:

personal.unlockAccount(addr, pswd, duration)

This command will keep the account unlocked for the specified duration (seconds).

But, if I don't mention the time and unlock an account like this: 

personal.UnlockAccount(addr, pswd)

After how much time will it be locked?

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From the documentation:

The unencrypted key will be held in memory until the unlock duration expires. If the unlock duration defaults to 300 seconds. An explicit duration of zero seconds unlocks the key until geth exits.

Edit:

Note that there appears to be a stray "if" in there. The second sentence should read "The unlock duration defaults to "300 seconds".

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  • If the unlock duration defaults to 300 seconds. --> I don't understand. Are we supposed to configure this somewhere?
    – galahad
    Aug 30, 2016 at 18:43
  • Hmm, it looks like there's a stray "if" in there. It should just read: "The unlock duration defaults to 300 seconds."
    – Richard Horrocks
    Aug 30, 2016 at 18:50
  • Also, what does the second sentence mean? An explicit duration of zero seconds unlocks the key until geth exits.
    – galahad
    Aug 30, 2016 at 18:54
  • That means if you put 0 as the third argument, then it will stay unlocked until the programme ends. i.e. It prevents the default 300 seconds from kicking in.
    – Richard Horrocks
    Aug 30, 2016 at 18:56

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