---
name: "explain_vfprintf_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_vfprintf_or_die"
---

# explain\_vfprintf\_or\_die(3)

formatted output conversion and report errors

## NAME

explain\_vfprintf\_or\_die - formatted output conversion and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_vfprintf\_or\_die(FILE \*fp, const char \*format, va\_list ap);\
 int explain\_vfprintf\_on\_error(FILE \*fp, const char \*format, va\_list ap);

## DESCRIPTION

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

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

- *fp*

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

- *format*

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

- *ap*

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

## RETURN VALUE

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

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

## EXAMPLE

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

```
explain_vfprintf_or_die(fp, format, ap);
```

## SEE ALSO

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

  formatted output conversion

- [*explain\_vfprintf*(3)](/explain_vfprintf/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2010 Peter Miller