Is main.cpp required?

Question

I was trying to compile a program with cmake, and I ended up deleting my main.cpp file, which I had just compounded into another file which held the name of my project (i.e., I just cut and pasted the main function into that one). The problem is that I got a main.cpp not found error, and wasn't sure whether or not in C++ a file known as main.cpp is required, or can I have a file with a different title which contains the function main instead?

Edit I should note that I have removed any specification to main and have recompiled this program.

What does your `CMakeLists.txt` file look like? Does it specifically mention `main.cpp`? — Benjamin Lindley, Dec 25 '11 at 05:57

score 13 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 25 '11 at 05:58

13

No, you don't need a file named main.cpp. You don't need a file containing main() unless you are building an application. That is, if you were just building a library of functions or a standalone object file you would not require main().

edited Dec 25 '11 at 05:58

Mahesh

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answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:57

Duck

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score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:57

4

Name of the source file has nothing to do for a program successful build. All you need a source file that has main function. How ever, naming the file as main.cpp is just a programming practice to just easily locate where the main function is.

answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:57

Mahesh

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:58

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No the main method doesn't have to be in a file called main.cpp.

answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:58

talnicolas

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:56

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You can use any file name you want, you just need to update it in the makefile

answered Dec 25 '11 at 05:56

Daniel

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Is main.cpp required?

4 Answers4

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