The text of the standard isn't entirely clear as to whether or not the function main can be used by strictly conforming C programs in hosted environments. The following passages quote the permissions and requirements that at the same time suggest that main may not be used by such programs, and that there may be more than the one call to the function made by the implementation at program startup.
§5.1.2.2.2 Program execution says:
In a hosted environment, a program may use all the functions, macros, type definitions, and objects described in the library clause (clause 7).suggesting that, since main is not described in the library clause but rather in §5.1.2.2.1, it may not be used by a program.
However, §5.1.2.2.3 Program termination, immediately following the section quoted above, then goes on to state (emphasis added):
If the return type of the main function is a type compatible with int, a return from the initial call to the main function is equivalent to calling the exit function with the value returned by the main function as its argument; ...In addition, §7.21.3 Files contains the following sentence (emphasis also added):
If the main function returns to its original caller, all open files are closed...Finally, since the C++ standard explicitly prohibits programs from calling or otherwise using main, one might expect C to do the same. However the references to main's initial call and its original caller in the latter two paragraphs suggest otherwise.
The question was raised and discussed on the committee's mailing list starting with message (SC22WG14.13780) valid uses of main. In response, members of the committee who participated in the preparation of the version of the C standard that introduced the words clarified that the intent was and remains for C to allow programs to use main. In particular, the intent of §5.1.2.2.2 Program execution is to grant permission to programs to use the facilities of the standard library but not to preclude the uses of main or other symbols defined by them.
However, since the function main is special and unlike any other symbol defined by a program, and since C++ contains a rule to the contrary, we feel that the intent isn't sufficiently clearly and unambiguously reflected in the quoted passages or the rest of the standard, and that a clarification is called for.
In light of the intent of the passages quoted above as made clear by the mailing list discussion, we offer two proposals to clarify the text of the standard.
Change §5.1.2.2.2 Program execution as follows:
In a hosted environment, a program may use the function main as well as all the functions, macros, type definitions, and objects described in the library clause (clause 7).
Add a footnote to the end of §5.1.2.2.2 Program execution, with the following text:
A program may also use the function main.