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Asked: 2026-05-16T22:57:20+00:00

I have few very simple question. I searched a web for them, but I

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I have few very simple question. I searched a web for them, but I found different answers so I just want to know which to follow.

So, first, I believe WinMain is NOT C or C++ standart, but is only added by Microsoft to determine when to load different CRT startup code, am I right?

And second, is WinMain called by OS, in a way of lets say similiar to dynamic linking, or is it just program startup point like main?

Why I ask? I mainly used C for programming MCUs. I am more HW oriented than SW, so I like MCUs, I find them and programming for them more “clear”.

But when I started to get interested about C language itself and its standart, I found that its very hard. I mean, for example, on MCU, you need no int return type of main, as well as in win32 app you need different startup code than pure main has.

So, I like C but I find its standart to be somehow old. Thanks.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I believe WinMain is NOT C or C++ standart, but is only added by Microsoft to determine when to load different CRT startup code, am I right?

    Yes. All C and C++ standards define main() (and only main()) as the program entry point (although its exact signature may vary between languages and standard versions).

    And second, is WinMain called by OS, in a way of lets say similiar to dynamic linking, or is it just program startup point like main?

    It is actually called from main(). There is a main() in Windows programs too, just hidden deep within WinAPI code.

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