Return Integer Purpose??

I'm still confused on the return integer's purpose. I also would like to know what in this code makes it so when you press the return key it exits the program. I would like to know what I would put in so when I press Esc key that the program exits.

Code:

---

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
 cout<<"HEY, you, I'm alive!  Oh, and Hello World!\n";
cin.get();

return 1; <~~~WHAT!?? :confused:
}

---

Quote:

---

I'm still confused on the return integer's purpose.

---

Ok, how about these:

1) It has no purpose.

2) It's a secret code the Taliban use to contact Osama Bin Laden.

3) It's a sign of the second coming.

4) All functions require a return type.

5) That's just the way it is.

If you are new enough to the C++ language so that you don't understand what a 'return statement' is, it will have no pratical impact on your programming, and therefore you can forget about it--although you still have to include it in your programs. Once again, use this as a template for all your programs:

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
   
      //Your code here

      return 0; 
}

---

Quote:

---

I also would like to know what in this code makes it so when you press the return key it exits the program.

---

cin.get();

That says to read one char from the remaining input that was read in from the keyboard(cin=keyboard). Since no input was read in from the keyboard previously, the program waits until the user types something.

Quote:

---

I would put in so when I press Esc key that the program exits.

---

There is no way to do that with standard C++. However, this will work on windows:

Code:

---

#include <conio.h>

...


    getche();

    return 0;
}

---

This might give you an idea or help you out.

http://cboard.cprogramming.com/showt...&highlight=esc

along with this


http://www.asciitable.com

Code:

---

return 0;

---

this ends the program and returns control to your operating system. it aslo return the value 0 to the operating system. other values can be returned to indicate different end conditions for the program and can be used by the operating system to determine if the program executed successfully. typically, a zero indicates a normal end to a program and any nonzero value indicates an abnormal end. however, whether or not a nonzero return value can be acted upon will depend on the operating system concerned.