---
name: "addseverity"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/addseverity"
---

# addseverity(3)

introduce new severity classes

## NAME

addseverity - introduce new severity classes

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*, *-lc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```

```

**#include \<fmtmsg.h\>**

**int addseverity(int** *severity***, const char \****s***);**

Feature Test Macro Requirements for glibc (see [**feature\_test\_macros**(7)](/feature_test_macros/7.md)):

**addseverity**():

```
    Since glibc 2.19:
        _DEFAULT_SOURCE
    glibc 2.19 and earlier:
        _SVID_SOURCE
```

## DESCRIPTION

This function allows the introduction of new severity classes which can be addressed by the *severity* argument of the [**fmtmsg**(3)](/fmtmsg/3.md) function. By default, that function knows only how to print messages for severity 0-4 (with strings (none), HALT, ERROR, WARNING, INFO). This call attaches the given string *s* to the given value *severity*. If *s* is NULL, the severity class with the numeric value *severity* is removed. It is not possible to overwrite or remove one of the default severity classes. The severity value must be nonnegative.

## RETURN VALUE

Upon success, the value **MM\_OK** is returned. Upon error, the return value is **MM\_NOTOK**. Possible errors include: out of memory, attempt to remove a nonexistent or default severity class.

## ATTRIBUTES

For an explanation of the terms used in this section, see [**attributes**(7)](/attributes/7.md).

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **addseverity**() | Thread safety | MT-Safe |

## STANDARDS

GNU.

## HISTORY

glibc 2.1. System V.

## NOTES

New severity classes can also be added by setting the environment variable **SEV\_LEVEL**.

## SEE ALSO

[**fmtmsg**(3)](/fmtmsg/3.md)