TITLE: Correct prototype for main()

PROBLEM: What is the correct prototype for main()?


RESPONSE: harrison@lclark.edu (Mark Harrison), 2 Sep 92

It should make no difference whether you try 'int' or 'void' as long as
main() returns the correct value (or doesn't with void.)


RESPONSE: steve@taumet.com (Steve Clamage)

It ought to make a difference, since the only valid definitions of
main() have return type 'int' (explict or implied).  This is the case
in both Standard C and in C++.  If you write, for example,
	void main(){ }
The compiler is obligated to diagnose an error in C and C++.

The return value from main() is supposed to be supplied to the calling
environment in some implementation-defined way.  Some systems appear not
to care whether you return a value, but some report error conditions
based on the garbage value which main() otherwise implicitly returns.