---
name: "explain_getsockopt_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_getsockopt_or_die"
---

# explain\_getsockopt\_or\_die(3)

get and set options on sockets and report errors

## NAME

explain\_getsockopt\_or\_die - get and set options on sockets and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_getsockopt\_or\_die(int fildes, int level, int name, void \*data, socklen\_t \*data\_size);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_getsockopt\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*getsockopt*(2)](/getsockopt/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_getsockopt*(3)](/explain_getsockopt/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_getsockopt_or_die(fildes, level, name, data, data_size);
```

- *fildes*

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

- *level*

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

- *name*

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

- *data*

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

- *data\_size*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  get and set options on sockets

- [*explain\_getsockopt*(3)](/explain_getsockopt/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2009 Peter Miller