---
name: "explain_malloc_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_malloc_or_die"
---

# explain\_malloc\_or\_die(3)

Allocate and free dynamic memory and report errors

## NAME

explain\_malloc\_or\_die - Allocate and free dynamic memory and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void \*explain\_malloc\_or\_die(size\_t size);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_malloc\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*malloc*(3)](/malloc/3.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_malloc*(3)](/explain_malloc/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:

```
void *result = explain_malloc_or_die(size);
```

- *size*

  The size, exactly as to be passed to the [*malloc*(3)](/malloc/3.md) system call.

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  Allocate and free dynamic memory

- [*explain\_malloc*(3)](/explain_malloc/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2009 Peter Miller