It feels like "void main()" is the "always implementable" version of it. Only requirement being the ability to create a function in the language with this signature and be able to call it.

Any other signature lives in the magical realm of "whatever the OS around it is doing". Which I feel is a discussion about matters outside of the C++ standard.






________________________________
From: Std-Proposals <std-proposals-bounces_at_[hidden]> on behalf of Jan Schultke via Std-Proposals <std-proposals_at_[hidden]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 11:41:14 AM
To: C++ Proposals <std-proposals_at_[hidden]>
Cc: Jan Schultke <janschultke_at_[hidden]>
Subject: [std-proposals] D3803R0 More standard forms of main

Hi,

I'm cooking up a draft for a proposal:
https://gist.github.com/Eisenwave/78d6127b73c6c9a1bc4cb55ad7bf249c

In short, the goal is for "int main(int, const char**)" and some other
signatures to be permitted. Many C++ developers probably expect this
to be standard C++ already, but surprisingly, this is voluntarily
supported by implementations despite there being no such requirement.
This borders on being a CWG issue, but I don't think CWG could make
such a decision without consulting EWG anyway, so here we are.

The one interesting question in the proposal is whether "void main()"
should be permitted. I think there are some good arguments in favor of
that, but also good arguments against.

Let me know what you think :)


Jan

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