Where do c plus plus begin execution?

Answer 1

C++ begins its execution at int main(...parameters...) or int WINAPI WinMain(...parameters...). WinMain() is used in Win32 programming, for windows, message boxes etc. main() is used in console programming.

int main() either have no parameters ( int main()) or it can have two parameters ( int main(int argc, const char* argv[]) ). int argc is the argument count, and const char* argv[] is the argument vector (the values of the arguments). These parameters are only useful if you need to take arguments from the user when you start up the application.

int WINAPI WinMain() must have four parameters. int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdParam, int nCmdShow). WINAPI is a method of passing parameters which comes from the days of Fortran and Pascal. It reverses the order the parameters are passed. Why this is necessary is not important WINAPI is simply required by Windows. HINSTANCE hInstance is a handle (a pointer) to the current application instance. HINSTANCE hPrevInstance is a handle to the previous instance. In theory, if there are multiple copies of an application open, then this would point to the last one created. LPSTR lpCmdParam is a long pointer to the command line calling existence to the application. If you were to open, let's say, "MyWin32App.exe" then this would be what lpCmdParam is pointing to. If you were to open "MyWin32App.exe -StartFullscreen" then that would be what it is pointing to. int nCmdShow is the parameter indicating how the window should be opened. You could start the application minimised, maximised etc.

References:

http://www.directxtutorial.com/Tutorial9/A-Win32/dx9A2.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_function_(programming)#C_and_C.2B.2B