Thread: void main

  1. #1
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    void main

    Ah yes, the infamous discussion.
    Ignore this thread if you wish, I just thought I'd post my thoughts which got me thinking on the topic.

    int main()
    7 letters
    return 0;
    6 letters and a number, 7 keys

    A total of 14 characters for int main / return 0.

    void main()
    8 letters
    return;
    6 letters

    A total of 14 characters.

    int main()
    7 again - not returning anything ( small program )

    void main
    8 again - not returning anything ( small program )

    It actually isn't harder to say int main, it's equal when returning something, and easier when not. It's also safer.

    Void main, is truly wrong.
    The world is waiting. I must leave you now.

  2. #2
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    I have never and never will use void main()...

    I have a habbit of typing this as soon as I start a project

    Code:
    #include <iostream.h>
    
    int main()
    {
    
       cin.get();
       return 0;
    }
    Sometimes... I wake up and my fingers are typing this out on my mattress...
    What is C++?

  3. #3
    Seņor Member
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    Your logic is off. I was taught that int main was the same as void main. I don't use void main anymore, but when I did, I never put a return statement. Return isn't necessary with void main.

  4. #4
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    > Return isn't necessary with void main.
    And a program is not needed unless it returns something.

    A simple example:
    I created a menu program for a fair amount of dos based classic pc games. I would check how the execution went, and display more user friendly messages if something went wrong. Because one of the games were programmed by void main programmers, I couldn't detect this. So not only were they not included into my menu for choices, but they also got deleted off my hard drive for the trouble.

    [ / End slam of ID software's early days ]
    The world is waiting. I must leave you now.

  5. #5
    geek SilentStrike's Avatar
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    Should make that..

    #include <iostream.h>

    into

    #include <iostream>

    For the same reason as not having void main.. it's non-standard.
    Prove you can code in C++ or C# at TopCoder, referrer rrenaud
    Read my livejournal

  6. #6
    the hat of redundancy hat nvoigt's Avatar
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    >I was taught that int main was the same as void main.

    Which is simply wrong. There are two forms of main defined in the standard:

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

    Everything else is wrong. Your compiler may accept it, and build a workaround internally, but that doesn't mean it's correct. It's like running a red light at night. Probably safe, but still you shouldn't do it.
    hth
    -nv

    She was so Blonde, she spent 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it said "Concentrate."

    When in doubt, read the FAQ.
    Then ask a smart question.

  7. #7
    Registered User toaster's Avatar
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    what about compilers that require you to prototype or declare or initialize ecetra the main(argument(s))?

    Code:
    //sample
    
    #include<stdio.h>
    using namespace std;
    
    int main(int argc, char *argv[]);
    
    int main(int argc, char *argv[])
    {
     printf("this is what you are running: %s", argv[0]);
     // code
     return 0;
    }
    think only with code.
    write only with source.

  8. #8
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    > what about compilers that require you to prototype
    Which compiler needs this?

    You shouldn't need to do this

  9. #9
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    Re: void main

    Originally posted by Shadow
    Void main, is truly wrong.
    whoa...

  10. #10
    i dont know Vicious's Avatar
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    I cant use

    #include <iostream>

    cause Borland will not accept

    using namespace std;

    it has an error that says namespace expected
    What is C++?

  11. #11
    Registered User Dual-Catfish's Avatar
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    int main()
    7 letters
    return 0;
    6 letters and a number, 7 keys

    A total of 14 characters for int main / return 0.

    void main()
    8 letters
    return;
    6 letters

    A total of 14 characters.
    It'd be nice if you were consistant..

    int main()
    9 keypresses
    return 0;
    9 keypresses

    void main()
    11 keypresses
    return;
    7 keypresses

    That's 18 and 18!

  12. #12
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    you forgot the enter key...

  13. #13
    geek SilentStrike's Avatar
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    Ouch.. a compiler that doesn't accept namespaces? Honestly, I think it's time to upgrade.
    Prove you can code in C++ or C# at TopCoder, referrer rrenaud
    Read my livejournal

  14. #14
    End Of Line Hammer's Avatar
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    Originally posted by ygfperson
    you forgot the enter key...
    And the shift key
    When all else fails, read the instructions.
    If you're posting code, use code tags: [code] /* insert code here */ [/code]

  15. #15
    Just one more wrong move. -KEN-'s Avatar
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    But sum d00d who sed he was a VB MASTRE tlod me taht void main() was rite and all the ****ers who say itn main() is right r jsut P0S3R5 who should bow 2 our 1337nes@!

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