---
name: "explain_gethostid_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_gethostid_or_die"
---

# explain\_gethostid\_or\_die(3)

get the unique identifier of the current host and report errors

## NAME

explain\_gethostid\_or\_die - get the unique identifier of the current host and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

long explain\_gethostid\_or\_die(void);\
 long explain\_gethostid\_on\_error(void);

## DESCRIPTION

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

The **explain\_gethostid\_on\_error** function is used to call the [*gethostid*(3)](/gethostid/3.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_gethostid*(3)](/explain_gethostid/3.md) function, but still returns to the caller.

## RETURN VALUE

The **explain\_gethostid\_or\_die** function only returns on success, see [*gethostid*(3)](/gethostid/3.md) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

The **explain\_gethostid\_on\_error** function always returns the value return by the wrapped [*gethostid*(3)](/gethostid/3.md) system call.

## EXAMPLE

The **explain\_gethostid\_or\_die** function is intended to be used in a fashion similar to the following example:

```
long result = explain_gethostid_or_die();
```

## SEE ALSO

- [*gethostid*(3)](/gethostid/3.md)

  get the unique identifier of the current host

- [*explain\_gethostid*(3)](/explain_gethostid/3.md)

  explain [*gethostid*(3)](/gethostid/3.md) errors

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2013 Peter Miller