Value in using: int main(int argc, char* argv[])

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Hi,

I was wondering what the value is of writing the main function as:

int main(int argc, char* argv[])

as oppposed to: int main()

I see the first example used quite often in programs and don't really understand the value or the difference. I never see the arguments ever used in the programs either. Can anyone enlighten me on the subject?

Also, is there a reason I might want to use void main() rather than int main()? I see that often as well.

Thanks!
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[firedraco]

1.) This allows you to handle the command line arguments..., argc is the count of how many arugments there are, and argv is an array of the arguments (as char*s)

2.) void main()? It's not really standard practice...so you shouldn't really do it.

[Duthomhas]

void main() is evil. Please don't use it.

(It is a non-portable compiler kludge extension that some anti-genious invented in pre-history and which has plagued C programmers ever since.)

The reason it exists is still unclear. The reason it continues to exist is because too many people (including authors of C and C++ books, and some suit-managed compiler writers) just don't know it is the Wrong Thing.

Some further reading (to help obtain enlightenment):
http://www.parashift.com/c++-faq-lite/newbie.html#faq-29.3
http://www.research.att.com/~bs/bs_faq2.html#void-main
http://www.cprogramming.com/faq/cgi-bin/smartfaq.cgi?id=1043284376&answer=1044841143
http://users.aber.ac.uk/auj/voidmain.shtml

In short, remember that main() is not a normal function! That's right, it is a special, abnormal function. It should only be called by the OS (from your POV) and should always return int. Anything else is non-standard and likely to cause problems with the vast majority of compilers (even if it seems to work just fine with your compiler).

Funny, no?

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Great info firedraco and Duoas, thanks for your help.

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