---
name: "explain_execve_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_execve_or_die"
---

# explain\_execve\_or\_die(3)

execute program and report errors

## NAME

explain\_execve\_or\_die - execute program and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_execve\_or\_die(const char \*pathname, const char \*const \*argv, const char \*const \*envp);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_execve\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*execve*(2)](/execve/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_execve*(3)](/explain_execve/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_execve_or_die(pathname, argv, envp);
```

- *pathname*

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

- *argv*

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

- *envp*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

- [*execve*(2)](/execve/2.md)

  execute program

- [*explain\_execve*(3)](/explain_execve/3.md)

  explain [*execve*(2)](/execve/2.md) errors

- [*exit*(2)](/exit/2.md)

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller