---
name: "explain_lstat_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_lstat_or_die"
---

# explain\_lstat\_or\_die(3)

get file status and report errors

## NAME

explain\_lstat\_or\_die - get file status and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_lstat\_or\_die(const char \*pathname, struct stat \*buf);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_lstat\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*lstat*(2)](/lstat/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_lstat*(3)](/explain_lstat/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_lstat_or_die(pathname , buf);
```

- *pathname*

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

- *buf*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  get file status

- [*explain\_lstat*(3)](/explain_lstat/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller