---
name: "explain_utimens_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_utimens_or_die"
---

# explain\_utimens\_or\_die(3)

change file timestamps and report errors

## NAME

explain\_utimens\_or\_die - change file timestamps and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_utimens\_or\_die(const char \*pathname, const struct timespec \*data);\
 int explain\_utimens\_on\_error(const char \*pathname, const struct timespec \*data);

## DESCRIPTION

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

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

- *pathname*

  The pathname, exactly as to be passed to the *utimens*(2) system call.

- *data*

  The data, exactly as to be passed to the *utimens*(2) system call.

## RETURN VALUE

The **explain\_utimens\_or\_die** function only returns on success, see *utimens*(2) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

The **explain\_utimens\_on\_error** function always returns the value return by the wrapped *utimens*(2) system call.

## EXAMPLE

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

```
explain_utimens_or_die(pathname, data);
```

## SEE ALSO

- *utimens*(2)

  change file last access and modification times

- [*explain\_utimens*(3)](/explain_utimens/3.md)

  explain *utimens*(2) errors

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2012 Peter Miller