What does the return 0; statement signify in the main() function?
a) The program executed successfully
b) The program encountered an error
c) The program did not execute
d) The program is paused
Answer:
a) The program executed successfully
Explanation:
The return 0; statement in the main() function signifies that the program executed successfully. In C, the main() function is expected to return an integer value to the operating system. A return value of 0 typically indicates that the program completed without errors, while a non-zero return value indicates that an error occurred during execution. This convention allows the operating system or calling process to determine the success or failure of the program.
Understanding the significance of return 0; is essential for writing programs that can communicate their success or failure to the operating environment.