return statement vs exit() in main()?

Question

Should I use `exit()` or just `return` statements in `main()`? Personally I favor the `return` statements because I feel it's like reading any other function and the flow control when I'm reading the code is smooth (in my opinion). And even if I want to refactor the `main()` function, having `return` seems like a better choice than `exit()`.Does `exit()` do anything special that `return` doesn't?

Answer 1

It is more of a personal preference but because you are in main they perform similarly. Furthermore, most compilers accept and compile code even if you don't write return 0; or exit(0); in main!

Note:

1. Return statement returns control back to the calling function.
2. Exit makes a call to a standard library function which quits the program. Thus, exit is common in situations where you want to terminate the program because there is no need to continue execution.

#include <iostream>

#include <cstdlib>

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

{

if (argc < 2)

{

std::cerr << "please input command to execute" << std::endl;

exit(1);

}

std::cout << "Good Day Sir!" << std::endl;

return 0;

}