---
name: "explain_write_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_write_or_die"
---

# explain\_write\_or\_die(3)

write to a file descriptor and report errors

## NAME

explain\_write\_or\_die - write to a file descriptor and report errors

## SYNOPSIS

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

void explain\_write\_or\_die(int fildes, const void \*data, long data\_size);

## DESCRIPTION

The **explain\_write\_or\_die** function is used to call the [*write*(2)](/write/2.md) system call.  On failure an explanation will be printed to *stderr*, obtained from [*explain\_write*(3)](/explain_write/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:

```
ssize_t result = explain_write_or_die(fildes, data, data_size);
```

- *fildes*

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

- *data*

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

- *data\_size*

  The data\_size, exactly as to be passed to the [*write*(2)](/write/2.md) system call.

- Returns:

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

## SEE ALSO

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

  write to a file descriptor

- [*explain\_write*(3)](/explain_write/3.md)

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

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

  terminate the calling process

## COPYRIGHT

libexplain version 1.4\
 Copyright (C) 2008 Peter Miller