The main function is where a C program starts from "summary" of C Programming Language by Brian W. Kernighan,Dennis Ritchie
The main function is where a C program starts. It is the entry point for the program, the place where execution begins. When the program is run, the operating system loads the program and starts executing code at the beginning of the main function. This function is always required in a C program; without it, the program would have no starting point. The main function is defined with a return type of int, indicating that it is expected to return an integer value. The parentheses following the function name can optionally contain arguments, which are values passed to the function when it is called. These arguments represent any command-line arguments provided when the program is run. Inside the main function, the program's logic is written. This is where variables are declared, calculations are performed, and other functions may be called. The main function typically contains the high-level logic of the program, delegating specific tasks to other functions as needed. When the main function reaches the end of its block of code, it must return a value. This return value is passed back to the operating system and can be used to indicate the success or failure of the program. By convention, a return value of 0 typically indicates successful execution, while any other value indicates an error. In summary, the main function is a crucial component of a C program, serving as the starting point for execution. Its return type, arguments, and logic determine how the program behaves when run. Understanding the main function is essential for writing and debugging C programs effectively.
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