---
name: "explain_wait4_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_wait4_or_die"
---

# explain\_wait4\_or\_die(3)

wait for process to change state and report errors

## NAME

explain\_wait4\_or\_die - wait for process to change state and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

\#include \<libexplain/wait4.h\>

void explain\_wait4\_or\_die(int pid, int \*status, int options, struct rusage \*rusage);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_wait4\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_wait4*(3)](/explain_wait4/3.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_wait4_or_die(pid, status, options, rusage);
```

- *pid*

  The pid, exactly as to be passed to the [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) system call.

- *status*

  The status, exactly as to be passed to the [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) system call.

- *options*

  The options, exactly as to be passed to the [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) system call.

- *rusage*

  The rusage, exactly as to be passed to the [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) system call.

- Returns:

  This function only returns on success, see [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) for more information.  On failure, prints an explanation and exits.

## SEE ALSO

- [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md)

  wait for process to change state

- [*explain\_wait4*(3)](/explain_wait4/3.md)

  explain [*wait4*(2)](/wait4/2.md) errors

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller