---
name: "explain_chdir_or_die"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libexplain-dev"
version: "1.4.D001-16"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/explain_chdir_or_die"
---

# explain\_chdir\_or\_die(3)

change working directory and report errors

## NAME

explain\_chdir\_or\_die - change working directory and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

\#include \<libexplain/chdir.h\>

void explain\_chdir\_or\_die(const char \* pathname);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_chdir\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*chdir*(2)](/chdir/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_chdir*(3)](/explain_chdir/3.md), and then the process terminates by calling `exit(EXIT_FAILURE)`.

This function is intended to be used in a fashion similar to the following example:

```
explain_chdir_or_die(pathname);
```

- *pathname*

  The pathname, exactly as to be passed to the [*chdir*(2)](/chdir/2.md) system call.

- Returns:

  This function only returns on success. On failure, prints an explanation and exits.

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller