---
name: "explain_read_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_read_or_die"
---

# explain\_read\_or\_die(3)

read from a file descriptor and report errors

## NAME

explain\_read\_or\_die - read from a file descriptor and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

long explain\_read\_or\_die(int fildes, const void \*data, long data\_size);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_read\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*read*(2)](/read/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_read*(3)](/explain_read/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_read_or_die(fildes, data, data_size);
```

- *fildes*

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

- *data*

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

- *data\_size*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  read from a file descriptor

- [*explain\_read*(3)](/explain_read/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller