What does the 'main' function represent in a C program?

The 'main' function in a C program serves as the entry point where execution begins. When a C program is run, the operating system looks for this function to start the execution process, meaning that any code written inside 'main' will be executed first.

Having 'main' as the designated starting point is essential because it informs the compiler and runtime environment of where to begin processing. While other user-defined functions can be called from 'main' or from other functions, 'main' itself must be present for the program to run correctly.

The misconception surrounding the optional nature of 'main' is significant. In reality, a C program needs a 'main' function in order to compile and execute, as it defines the program's execution flow. Although there are various functions in C programming, without 'main', there's no entry point for the execution to begin. Similarly, while there may be functions that execute afterwards, 'main' is not the last function; it is the first point of entry when a program starts running.