Too many arguments to function int main?

Using the wxDevcpp compiler to compile an example in Brian Overlands "C++ Without Fear" I get the error and message-------

"8 H:\Dev-Cpp\MyFilesPractice_Projects\Practice482906.cpp too many arguments to function `int main()' "

I have carefully followed the example in the book and for the life of me
can`t figure out why I`m getting this..Any suggestions?
Thanks, Plain

You shouldn't be calling main at all. Can you post the code for those of us who don't have that book handy?

Ah... the good ol' Brian Overlands "C++ Without Fear" example... We all know it by heart here... in fact, it's part of our credo... Why don't you post at least one line of code. Specifically the line with the error.

If you're calling main, then don't do that and I have trouble believing that's in the example.

EDIT: See this is why you don't spend 8 minutes looking for a synonym for "credo"

Here is the code: I hope not knowing exactly how to post code will not be a hinderance.....

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
#include <string.h>
using namespace std;

int get_a_string(char *buffer, char *s, int start);
char strs[10][100];

int main() {
        int i;
        int n;
        int pos = 0;
        char buffer[200];
        cout << "Enter strings, separated by commas,";
        cout << endl << "and press ENTER: ";
        cin.getline(buffer, 199);
        for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
            pos = get_a_string(buffer, strs[i], pos);
            if (pos == -1)
            break;
            }
    if (i == 11)
    n = 10;
    else
    n = i;
    cout << n << " strings were read." << endl;
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    cout << strs[i] << endl;
   
    system ("PAUSE");   
    return 0;
}

//Get-a-string function.
//Starting at position "start," read next substring
//from buffer into target string s.
//Return position of first unread character;
//return -1 if there are no characters to read.
//
int get_a_string(char *buffer, char *dest, int pos) {
    int i = pos, j = 0;
    //"Consume" initial comma and blank space(s).
    while (buffer[i] == ',' || buffer[i] == ' ')
    i++;
    //Return -1 if at end of buffer.
    if (buffer[i] == '\0')
    return -1;
    //Read characters into target string, until
    //comma or end-of-string encountered.
    while (buffer[i] != ',' && buffer[i] != '\0')
    dest[j++] = buffer[i++];
    //Terminate target string and return position
    //of first unread character.
    main(dest[j] = '\0')
    return i;
}

---

I threw the "system("PAUSE")" in there so I can beat my chest a little when I`m successful --- before the window disappears...typically the compiler doesn`t gag on this line so I wouldn`t think that was it. To satisfy myself I removed it once, recompiled, and got the same message.

I`ve never coded before and this is my first book so you know my level of inproficiency...

Plain

Use code tags. It's that simple.

tada!

Quote:

---

main(dest[j] = '\0')

---

Are you sure you copied that correctly?

Sorry for the gobbledygook. I will try a code tag approach...if I know how.

Code:

---


#include <iostream>
#include <string.h>
using namespace std;

int get_a_string(char *buffer, char *s, int start);
char strs[10][100];

int main() {
        int i;
        int n;
        int pos = 0;
        char buffer[200];
        cout << "Enter strings, separated by commas,";
        cout << endl << "and press ENTER: ";
        cin.getline(buffer, 199);
        for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
            pos = get_a_string(buffer, strs[i], pos);
            if (pos == -1)
            break;
            }
    if (i == 11)
    n = 10;
    else
    n = i;
    cout << n << " strings were read." << endl;
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    cout << strs[i] << endl;
   
    system ("PAUSE");   
    return 0;
}

//Get-a-string function.
//Starting at position "start," read next substring
//from buffer into target string s.
//Return position of first unread character;
//return -1 if there are no characters to read.
//

int get_a_string(char *buffer, char *dest, int pos) {
    int i = pos, j = 0;

    //"Consume" initial comma and blank space(s).

    while (buffer[i] == ',' || buffer[i] == ' ')
    i++;

    //Return -1 if at end of buffer.

    if (buffer[i] == '\0')
    return -1;

    //Read characters into target string, until
    //comma or end-ofstring encountered.

    while (buffer[i] != ',' && buffer[i] != '\0')
    dest[j++] = buffer[i++];

    //Terminate target string and return position
    //of first unread character.

    main(dest[j] = '\0')
    return i;
}

---

Yes, I copied this from the book, have relooked at it several times and this is from the compiler IDE.
Previewing my post it is obvious that in my case providing code tags is not "that simple". I added the spacing before and after comments this time so it wouldn`t be as nasty. As I said this is my first language and my first book. I read the coding instructions before posting but it seems they are not simple enough for me to understand, then, after wading in confusion for a while I stumbled upon the solution. First I put code and /code in quotes, then without quotes and only the colon in front of code, then with brackets then without the colon and success. You might gather my level of inexperience from the above foray. My apologies.

That's from the book, eh?

Well, your problem is that you're missing a lighter... go out and buy one... then burn that book.

Amagad... <iostream>, then <string.h>... And the mess...
This book belong with the bible, in a dumpster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Osaou

This book belong with the bible, in a dumpster.

---

As non-religious as I am, I think that was hardly necessary.

>> main(dest[j] = '\0')
Again, are you sure that main is supposed to be there? If it is in the book then the book made a typo.

That book really is not a good C++ book for beginners (or for anybody) despite the recommendation of the main site. It doesn't teach modern C++, and so it ends up leaving you with bad habits that need to be broken later in your learning. Unfortunately, most beginner C++ books do the same thing, and the only one I know of that doesn't is more accelerated than it appears you are ready for.

Yuk, Yuk................page 181 "lexi.cpp".

Since I`ve been trying for about 4 hours now to get this squeezed through the compiler, burning is far down the stack. That aside though, the only difference I can see in this and other examples in this same chapter is the character strings declaration is before not after int main(). A puzzle......

I don't have the book. What does page 181 say? The fix is simple. Remove the "main(" and ")" on the line of code that was mentioned by CornedBee, then add a semi-colon.

The "more accelerated than you are ready for" comment was not an insult. The book I was referring to isn't really meant for true programming beginners.

main, main???? How did that get in there? Now you see why I need help. The more I look the less I see. I wasn`t insulted by anything, I appreciate you guys patience. Now I can get on with my life! Have a good one! ....Plain