---
name: "explain_sleep_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_sleep_or_die"
---

# explain\_sleep\_or\_die(3)

Sleep for a number of seconds and report errors

## NAME

explain\_sleep\_or\_die - Sleep for a number of seconds and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

unsigned int explain\_sleep\_or\_die(unsigned int seconds);\
 unsigned int explain\_sleep\_on\_error(unsigned int seconds);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_sleep\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*sleep*(3)](/sleep/3.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_sleep*(3)](/explain_sleep/3.md) function, and then the process terminates by calling `exit(EXIT_FAILURE)`.

The **explain\_sleep\_on\_error** function is used to call the [*sleep*(3)](/sleep/3.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_sleep*(3)](/explain_sleep/3.md) function, but still returns to the caller.

- *seconds*

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

## RETURN VALUE

The **explain\_sleep\_or\_die** function only returns on success, see [*sleep*(3)](/sleep/3.md) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

The **explain\_sleep\_on\_error** function always returns the value return by the wrapped [*sleep*(3)](/sleep/3.md) system call.

## EXAMPLE

The **explain\_sleep\_or\_die** function is intended to be used in a fashion similar to the following example:

```
unsigned int result = explain_sleep_or_die(seconds);
```

## SEE ALSO

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

  Sleep for the specified number of seconds

- [*explain\_sleep*(3)](/explain_sleep/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2013 Peter Miller