---
name: "explain_time_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_time_or_die"
---

# explain\_time\_or\_die(3)

get time in seconds and report errors

## NAME

explain\_time\_or\_die - get time in seconds and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

time\_t explain\_time\_or\_die(time\_t \*t);\
 time\_t explain\_time\_on\_error(time\_t \*t);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_time\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*time*(2)](/time/2.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_time*(3)](/explain_time/3.md) function, and then the process terminates by calling `exit(EXIT_FAILURE)`.

The **explain\_time\_on\_error** function is used to call the [*time*(2)](/time/2.md) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from the [*explain\_time*(3)](/explain_time/3.md) function, but still returns to the caller.

- *t*

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

## RETURN VALUE

The **explain\_time\_or\_die** function only returns on success, see [*time*(2)](/time/2.md) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

The **explain\_time\_on\_error** function always returns the value return by the wrapped [*time*(2)](/time/2.md) system call.

## EXAMPLE

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

```
time_t result = explain_time_or_die(t);
```

## SEE ALSO

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

  get time in seconds

- [*explain\_time*(3)](/explain_time/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2009 Peter Miller