In C, how is the main() method initially called?

Question

How does a C program get started?

Answer 1

The operating system calls a function included in the C runtime (CRT) and linked into your executable. Call this "CRT main."

CRT main does a few things, the two most important of which, at least in C++, are to run through an array of global C++ classes and call their constructors, and to call your main() function and give its return value to the shell.

The Visual C++ CRT main does a few more things, if memory serves. It configures the memory allocator, important if using the Debug CRT to help find memory leaks or bad accesses. It also calls main within a structured exception handler that catches bad memory access and other crashes and displays them.