---
name: "explain_lchown_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_lchown_or_die"
---

# explain\_lchown\_or\_die(3)

change ownership of a file and report errors

## NAME

explain\_lchown\_or\_die - change ownership of a file and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_lchown\_or\_die(const char \*pathname, int owner, int group);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_lchown\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*lchown*(2)](/lchown/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_lchown*(3)](/explain_lchown/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_lchown_or_die(pathname, owner, group);
```

- *pathname*

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

- *owner*

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

- *group*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  change ownership of a file

- [*explain\_lchown*(3)](/explain_lchown/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller