Re: [Dev-C++] Question using "main" as a variable name

> AD wrote:
> I am trying to learn c++ by reading a book named "C++ Primer Plus". In that book
> author says that quote:
>
> "You can use "main" as a variable name. This can cause a problem in circumstances
> too esoteric to describe here."
>
>
> So in a program that has main() function can also have a variable named main. But
> what can be the circumstance in which it can cause problem? Can anyone kindly 
> shed light into this? Thanks.
>
>
>>  Amynuttall25m wrote:
>>  Because the main function returns an integer to the operating system, having 
>>  somthing like:
>>
>> int main  = 5;
>>  
>> is goint to cause a problem if used in a function.
>>  
>> int return ( int main )
>> {
>>    // do somthing
>>  
>>   return main;
>> }


Thanks for your reply. But i don't get what you're saying(My fault...sorry).

#include 

using namespace std;
int a_func()
{
   int main = 5;
   return main;
}

int main()
{
   int a_var = a_func();

   return 0;
}


The above code compiles fine on my system. Here "main" is a variable defined in a 
function called a_func() and main() function is also used. I know that main is
used as a variable when used in a statement like

return main;

because there's no parenthesis following the name of the variable. But if it were
a function i would've used:

return main();

Wouldn't I? So you can easily differentiate between the two. can you explain a little bit 
more why this code can cause a problem as the author states that?


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