---
name: "explain_gethostname_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_gethostname_or_die"
---

# explain\_gethostname\_or\_die(3)

get/set hostname and report errors

## NAME

explain\_gethostname\_or\_die - get/set hostname and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_gethostname\_or\_die(char \*data, size\_t data\_size);\
 intexplain\_gethostname\_on\_error(char \*data, size\_t data\_size);

## DESCRIPTION

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

The **explain\_gethostname\_on\_error** function is used to call the [*gethostname*(2)](/gethostname/2.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_gethostname*(3)](/explain_gethostname/3.md) function, but still returns to the caller.

- *data*

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

- *data\_size*

  The data\_size, exactly as to be passed to the [*gethostname*(2)](/gethostname/2.md) system call.

## RETURN VALUE

The **explain\_gethostname\_or\_die** function only returns on success, see [*gethostname*(2)](/gethostname/2.md) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

The **explain\_gethostname\_on\_error** function always returns the value return by the wrapped [*gethostname*(2)](/gethostname/2.md) system call.

## EXAMPLE

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

```
explain_gethostname_or_die(data, data_size);
```

## SEE ALSO

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

  get/set hostname

- [*explain\_gethostname*(3)](/explain_gethostname/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2009 Peter Miller