Calling Main Function Recursively in C

The code snippet provided attempts to call the main() function recursively within itself in C . However, it's important to note that this behavior is not allowed in strict C compliance.

Is Recursively Calling main() Allowed in C ?

According to the C Standard, a function cannot call itself directly, including the main() function. This restriction is intended to prevent infinite recursion and guarantee program termination.

Practical Implementation with g

Despite the language standard, it's possible to call main() recursively in practice using the GNU C compiler (g ). g doesn't strictly enforce the standard in this regard, allowing code with recursive main() calls to compile and execute.

Example Code

The following modified code snippet demonstrates recursive main() calls using g :

#include 
#include 
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int y = rand() % 10; // returns 3, then 6, then 7
    cout 
When compiled and executed, this code will generate the following output:
y = 3
y = 6
y = 7
Assembly Analysis
Examining the assembly generated for this code reveals that g   treats recursive main() calls like any other function call:
main:
        ...
        cmpl    $7, -12(%rbp)
        je      .L7
        call    main
        ...
.L7:
        ...
        leave
        ret
Note:
While this behavior is possible with g  , it's crucial to note that it's not guaranteed. Other compilers may adhere strictly to the C   Standard, resulting in compilation errors or unexpected behavior. Therefore, using recursive main() calls is not a recommended practice.