Compile C: collect2.exe: error: ld returned 1 exit status

Question

I'm a totally beginner.

I wanted to compile C by MinGW in Visual Studio Code, but I got an error code at the terminal in Visual Studio Code. At first, I created a file just under Windows (C:).

Source code

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    printf("Hello World!");
    return 0;
}

Terminal

PS C:\vscode> gcc hello.c
ingw32/bin/ld.exe: c:/mingw/bin/../lib/gcc/mingw32/8.2.0/../../../libmingw32.a(main.o):(c:/mingw/bin/../lib/gcc/mingw32/8.2.0/../../../../mn@16'
ingw32/bin/ld.exe: c:/mingw/bin/../lib/gcc/mingw32/8.2.0/../../../libmingw32.a(main.o):(.text.startup+0xb0): undefined reference to `WinMain@16'
collect2.exe: error: ld returned 1 exit status

The contents of your source file could be relevant. Please present a [mcve] that demonstrates the problem. — John Bollinger, Jan 16 '19 at 15:06
That is a linker error. Check your build tools. linker is not able to find the symbol WinMain@16 — rsonx, Jan 16 '19 at 15:32
Looks like it is trying to compile a gui app instead of a console app. The compiler / linker flags and settings — doron, Jan 27 '21 at 00:17

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 16 '19 at 18:56

1

With no code... my best guess would be you don't have int main() at the beginning of your program OR main() is named something other than main.

answered Jan 16 '19 at 18:56

static_cast

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 17 '20 at 20:23

1

Never tried gcc for Windows, but I would compile only with:

gcc hello.c

or may be with:

gcc hello.c -o program.exe

answered Aug 17 '20 at 20:23

Nick

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Compile C: collect2.exe: error: ld returned 1 exit status

2 Answers2