Why are recursive main() calls not allowed in C++? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates: restrictions on the main() function Is it legal to recurse into main() in C++? I read in C++ Primer that main is not allowed to be called recursively, and in some related questions here on SO it is indeed confirmed that it is illegal. But why is it illegal? As long as you avoid a stack overflow, what's the problem with calling main within itself? Well, the standard states: 3.6.1.3 "The function main shall not be used within a program." 5.2.2.9 "Recursive calls are permitted, except to the function named main" I guess it is beause main() is a special function used as the