---
name: "explain_symlink_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_symlink_or_die"
---

# explain\_symlink\_or\_die(3)

make a new name for a file and report errors

## NAME

explain\_symlink\_or\_die - make a new name for a file and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_symlink\_or\_die(const char \*oldpath, const char \*newpath);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_symlink\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*symlink*(2)](/symlink/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_symlink*(3)](/explain_symlink/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_symlink_or_die(oldpath, newpath);
```

- *oldpath*

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

- *newpath*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  make a new name for a file

- [*explain\_symlink*(3)](/explain_symlink/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller