Difference between int main() & int main(void)

#C #C++ #Programming Languages

In C:

• int main(): An empty parameter list in C means the function's parameters are unspecified. It does not explicitly state that the main function takes no arguments.
• int main(void): This explicitly indicates that the main function takes no arguments. It's the preferred modern style in C to avoid ambiguity.

In C++:

• int main(): In C++, an empty parameter list explicitly means that the main function takes no arguments. There is no ambiguity.
• int main(void): Although this is legal in C++, it is considered a relic from C. In C++, writing void inside the parentheses is unnecessary because int main() already indicates no parameters.

Practical Considerations

• Standards Compliance: Modern C code tends to favour int main(void) to adhere more strictly to the language standard and to improve code clarity.
• Compatibility: Both forms are accepted by most compilers, but if you want to avoid any potential ambiguity (especially when teaching or writing new code), using int main(void) is a good practice.

Summary

While you can write int main() in C, using int main(void) is recommended for clarity and explicitly indicating that the function does not take any parameters.