When abort() is preferred over exit()?

Question

I know the differences between the two. One notable thing is that abort() sends SIGABRT signal, so it may be relevant when your software relies on them. But for a typical application exit() seems to be more safe version of abort()...? Are there any other concerns to use abort() instead of exit()?

Answer 1

Using abort will dump core, if the user has core dumps enabled. So as a rule of thumb, I'd use abort if you're so unsure about what's gone wrong that the only way to get useful information about it is by analysing a core dump.

If you can safely exit from any given point, and don't need the core dump, then exit is a nicer approach.