---
name: "explain_waitpid_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_waitpid_or_die"
---

# explain\_waitpid\_or\_die(3)

wait for process to change state and report errors

## NAME

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

## SYNOPSIS

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

int pid = explain\_waitpid\_or\_die(int pid, int \*status, int options);

## DESCRIPTION

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

- *pid*

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

- *status*

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

- *options*

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

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  wait for process to change state

- [*explain\_waitpid*(3)](/explain_waitpid/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller