sysexits.h(3head) - Linux manual page (original) (raw)

sysexits.h(3head) sysexits.h(3head)

NAME top

   sysexits.h - exit codes for programs

LIBRARY top

   Standard C library (_libc_)

SYNOPSIS top

   **#include <sysexits.h>**
   **#define EX_OK           0** /* successful termination */

   **#define EX__BASE        64** /* base value for error messages */

   **#define EX_USAGE        64** /* command line usage error */
   **#define EX_DATAERR      65** /* data format error */
   **#define EX_NOINPUT      66** /* cannot open input */
   **#define EX_NOUSER       67** /* addressee unknown */
   **#define EX_NOHOST       68** /* host name unknown */
   **#define EX_UNAVAILABLE  69** /* service unavailable */
   **#define EX_SOFTWARE     70** /* internal software error */
   **#define EX_OSERR        71** /* system error (e.g., can't fork) */
   **#define EX_OSFILE       72** /* critical OS file missing */
   **#define EX_CANTCREAT    73** /* can't create (user) output file */
   **#define EX_IOERR        74** /* input/output error */
   **#define EX_TEMPFAIL     75** /* temp failure; user is invited to
                                   retry */
   **#define EX_PROTOCOL     76** /* remote error in protocol */
   **#define EX_NOPERM       77** /* permission denied */
   **#define EX_CONFIG       78** /* configuration error */

   **#define EX__MAX** ...  /* maximum listed value */

DESCRIPTION top

   A few programs exit with the following error codes.

   The successful exit is always indicated by a status of **0**, or **EX_OK**
   (equivalent to **EXIT_SUCCESS** from _<stdlib.h>_).  Error numbers begin
   at **EX__BASE** to reduce the possibility of clashing with other exit
   statuses that random programs may already return.  The meaning of
   the code is approximately as follows:

   **EX_USAGE**
          The command was used incorrectly, e.g., with the wrong
          number of arguments, a bad flag, bad syntax in a parameter,
          or whatever.

   **EX_DATAERR**
          The input data was incorrect in some way.  This should only
          be used for user's data and not system files.

   **EX_NOINPUT**
          An input file (not a system file) did not exist or was not
          readable.  This could also include errors like "No message"
          to a mailer (if it cared to catch it).

   **EX_NOUSER**
          The user specified did not exist.  This might be used for
          mail addresses or remote logins.

   **EX_NOHOST**
          The host specified did not exist.  This is used in mail
          addresses or network requests.

   **EX_UNAVAILABLE**
          A service is unavailable.  This can occur if a support
          program or file does not exist.  This can also be used as a
          catch-all message when something you wanted to do doesn't
          work, but you don't know why.

   **EX_SOFTWARE**
          An internal software error has been detected.  This should
          be limited to non-operating system related errors if
          possible.

   **EX_OSERR**
          An operating system error has been detected.  This is
          intended to be used for such things as "cannot fork",
          "cannot create pipe", or the like.  It includes things like
          [getuid(2)](../man2/getuid.2.html) returning a user that does not exist in the
          [passwd(5)](../man5/passwd.5.html) file.

   **EX_OSFILE**
          Some system file (e.g., _/etc/passwd_, _/etc/utmp_, etc.)  does
          not exist, cannot be opened, or has some sort of error
          (e.g., syntax error).

   **EX_CANTCREAT**
          A (user specified) output file cannot be created.

   **EX_IOERR**
          An error occurred while doing I/O on some file.

   **EX_TEMPFAIL**
          Temporary failure, indicating something that is not really
          an error.  For example that a mailer could not create a
          connection, and the request should be reattempted later.

   **EX_PROTOCOL**
          The remote system returned something that was "not
          possible" during a protocol exchange.

   **EX_OSFILE**
          You did not have sufficient permission to perform the
          operation.  This is not intended for file system problems,
          which should use **EX_NOINPUT** or **EX_CANTCREAT**, but rather for
          higher level permissions.

   **EX_CONFIG**
          Something was found in an unconfigured or misconfigured
          state.

   The numerical values corresponding to the symbolical ones are
   given in parenthesis for easy reference.

STANDARDS top

   BSD.

HISTORY top

   The _<sysexits.h>_ file appeared in 4.0BSD for use by the
   deliverymail utility, later renamed to [sendmail(8)](../man8/sendmail.8.html).

CAVEATS top

   The choice of an appropriate exit value is often ambiguous.

SEE ALSO top

   [err(3)](../man3/err.3.html), [error(3)](../man3/error.3.html), [exit(3)](../man3/exit.3.html)

COLOPHON top

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Linux man-pages 6.10 2024-05-02 sysexits.h(3head)

Pages that refer to this page:EXIT_SUCCESS(3const)