---
name: "explain_pathconf_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_pathconf_or_die"
---

# explain\_pathconf\_or\_die(3)

get configuration values and report errors

## NAME

explain\_pathconf\_or\_die - get configuration values and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

long explain\_pathconf\_or\_die(const char \*pathname, int name);

## DESCRIPTION

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

```
long value = explain_pathconf_or_die(pathname, name);
```

Note that a −1 return value is still possible, meaning the system does not have a limit for the requested resource.

- *pathname*

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

- *name*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  get configuration values for files

- [*explain\_pathconf*(3)](/explain_pathconf/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller