Why does my professor use return(0);?

Question

In all of my C labs, my professor, without fail, uses return(0); instead of (and correct me if I'm wrong) the preferred return 0;. Shouldn't a C professor know good programming style?

I wonder this because my C textbook (Problem Solving and Program Design in C) also uses this format. It also puts a newline between int and main(), which I find a bit odd.

Could it simply be that older versions of C used this format and she (as well as the book) never adapted? Or is this just downright bad programming style? Or am I completely off base here?

It's just a different style. You'll notice that older professors will tend to do that sort of thing. — tier1, Apr 15 '13 at 16:24
Having a pair of parentheses does not make a difference (to a compiler, anyway). As my professor used to say when students complained to him about something making no difference, "if it does not make any difference to you, then why not make it the way that I ask you?" — Sergey Kalinichenko, Apr 15 '13 at 16:27

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 15 '13 at 16:24

This is purely a style choice, and user preference. There isn't a real reason to prefer one style over the other.

Granted, I prefer return 0; and not using extra newlines, but there is no technical advantage or disadvantage to either style. I would hesitate to call one style "good" and the other "bad".

Why does my professor use return(0);?

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