Thread: Code Confusion - return 0;

  1. 01-01-2012 #1
    qkzoo
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    Code Confusion - return 0;

    I'm running through the tutorials for c programming on this site, and have noticed an inconsistency in the examples, that haven't been explained (at least thus far in the tutorials, I'm on chapter 6 right now). In the first chapter or so, I'm told that the main() function should have "return 0" at the end of it. Then, after a couple examples, at least to chapter 6, you don't see return 0; at the bottom of the main() function in the examples anymore.

    Is this a do as I say, not as I do, is it just not necessary, or has it been assumed that I will plug this in when I do the example, or create my own code?

    Thanks for any assistance!

    Q
  2. 01-01-2012 #2
    quzah
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    The main function should return an integer. You can return any integer value (you should return something), but the values your OS expects are typically what is defined as EXIT_SUCCESS, EXIT_FAILURE, or 0. Zero and EXIT_SUCCESS are typically the same thing.


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  3. 01-01-2012 #3
    Salem
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    In C89 (the first standard for C), return 0; is always necessary.

    In C99 and later, you can omit the return 0 (although main must still be declared as returning int), and the compiler will automatically add return 0; for you. Not everyone has a C99 compiler, or even if they do, they're not interested in writing C99 code.

    The tutorials are wrong to omit the return 0;

    Reading the code as snippets rather than as programs is perhaps better. That is, as demonstrations of use in context rather than as programs you can simply copy and paste.
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  4. 01-01-2012 #4
    memcpy
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    When a function returns a non-void value (and main always should), it's standard to have it return something. At the very least, it suppresses warnings on some compilers, but it becomes increasingly important for other functions for the purpose of error checking.

    There are many "conventions" that are omitted in examples for brevity, but the people who wrote the examples expect you to know and use them.
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