what do I return in int main() function c++

In the int main() function in C++, you are required to return an integer value to indicate the exit status of the program. The exit status is a value that is returned to the operating system to indicate whether the program executed successfully or encountered an error.

You can return different integer values from the int main() function, and the specific value you choose to return conveys different meanings. Here are some common conventions:

• 0: Returning 0 from int main() indicates that the program executed successfully without any errors. This is the default value if you don't explicitly return anything.
• Positive values: Returning a positive integer from int main() usually indicates that the program executed successfully, but with some specific conditions or warnings. The exact meaning of the positive value can vary depending on the program's design and requirements.
• Negative values: Returning a negative integer from int main() typically indicates that the program encountered an error during execution. The specific negative value can be used to convey different error codes, allowing the calling process or the operating system to understand what went wrong.

Here's an example of the int main() function returning different values:

int main() {
    // Program execution without any errors
    return 0;
}

int main() {
    // Program execution with specific conditions or warnings
    return 1;
}

int main() {
    // Program encountered an error during execution
    return -1;
}

By returning an appropriate value from the int main() function, you can provide information to the calling process or the operating system about the outcome of your program's execution.