explain_setenv_or_die(3)

✨ explain_setenv_or_die(3) ✨

okay bestie, we're in the Library Functions Manual today and this one is genuinely so useful, i need you to lock in 🫶

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💖 NAME 💖

explain_setenv_or_die — change or add an environment variable and report errors

like... it does the thing, and if the thing fails it tells you why, and then it dips. iconic behavior honestly 💅

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

#include <libexplain/setenv.h>
void explain_setenv_or_die(const char *name, const char *value, int
overwrite);
int explain_setenv_on_error(const char *name, const char *value, int
overwrite);

two functions, one header, zero drama (except when there IS drama, and then it explains the drama) ✨

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🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

so here's the tea, bestie 🍓

The explain_setenv_or_die function is used to call the setenv(3) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to stderr, obtained from the explain_setenv(3) function, and then the process terminates by calling exit(EXIT_FAILURE).

so it's giving "we tried, we failed, here's a whole essay about why, and now we're ending it all (the process, not you, you're fine) 💀". it does not return on failure, periodt.

The explain_setenv_on_error function is used to call the setenv(3) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to stderr, obtained from the explain_setenv(3) function, but still returns to the caller.

this one is the softer, gentler sibling 🌈 — it still spills the whole explanation to stderr, but then it's like "anyway, you handle it, i believe in you" and hands control back. main character energy but polite.

the arguments, one by one 👑

• name — The name, exactly as to be passed to the setenv(3) system call. like, exactly exactly. no remixing, no editing, no adding a little sparkle. pass it through untouched ✨
• value — The value, exactly as to be passed to the setenv(3) system call. same deal bestie, verbatim or nothing 🎀
• overwrite — The overwrite, exactly as to be passed to the setenv(3) system call. yes, the parameter is literally named overwrite. it is what it says on the tin 🔥

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⭐ RETURN VALUE ⭐

The explain_setenv_or_die function only returns on success, see setenv(3) for more information. On failure, prints an explanation and exits, it does not return.

okay so real talk: if you're holding onto a return value from this one, you're holding onto nothing. it either works (and comes back) or it's gone 😭. there is no in-between, no "it returned an error code", no. it exits. exit(EXIT_FAILURE). that's the whole vibe check.

The explain_setenv_on_error function always returns the value return by the wrapped setenv(3) system call.

(yes, "return" — that's what the original says and i'm not touching it, i am a faithful narrator 🙈)

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🌈 EXAMPLE 🌈

The explain_setenv_or_die function is intended to be used in a fashion similar to the following example:

explain_setenv_or_die(name, value, overwrite);

that's it. that's the whole call. three args, zero regrets, go off 👑

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🧚 SEE ALSO 🧚

• setenv(3) — change or add an environment variable
• explain_setenv(3) — explain setenv(3) errors
• exit(2) — terminate the calling process

iykyk, these three are the little squad that makes this whole thing work 🫶

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💜 COPYRIGHT 💜

libexplain version 1.4 Copyright (C) 2010 Peter Miller

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and that's the page bestie!! this absolute banger of a manual page came to you courtesy of libexplain version 1.4, with the copyright living happily with Peter Miller since 2010 💖 go forth and setenv responsibly, mwah 🎀