Question

Linker error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _main referenced in function _mainCRTStartup

Asked by: Daeljan

Hi, I have created a C++ project - a Class Library.

The class is very basic and has just one method:

      public __gc class IMLibrary
      {
            void TestMethod();
      };

I'm including the header files:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "IMLibrary.h"

and the method uses sin, cos, and sqrt. All of these give linker errors. I am obviously missing something.

I also get the linker error:

error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _main referenced in function _mainCRTStartup

Ultimately I'm trying to write a dll that will access some .lib files that I have, and then call this from a .NET file, but for some reason I can't even get past a simple function call!

Thanks.

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Asked On
2005-06-09 at 09:30:39ID21452684
Tags

external

,

unresolved

,

symbol

,

error

,

_main

Topic

Microsoft Visual C++.Net

Participating Experts
2
Points
350
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2005-06-09 at 09:54:41ID: 14181582

Where is your main function? Has you created as a console application?
I suggest you to create a new Project in Visual C++, and specify console application (prefereable a Hello World application), and put your code on it.

 

by: DaeljanPosted on 2005-06-09 at 10:25:19ID: 14181859

The project is a Class Library - I am trying to create a dll that I can use in another application.

So really there is no main entry point, and that is why I am puzzled that something tries to link to one.

 

by: DaeljanPosted on 2005-06-09 at 10:28:04ID: 14181884

Aside from the main entry point issue, can you shed some light on the linker error regarding the maths calls to cos, sin, and sqrt?

 

by: jaime_olivaresPosted on 2005-06-09 at 10:37:59ID: 14181952

Of course there is an entry point, every dll has an entry point (usually called DllMain), then create a new project, DLL type.

 

by: DaeljanPosted on 2005-06-09 at 10:46:03ID: 14182030

I am using Visual Studio.NET. I looked for the options to create a traditional dll, and I haven't been able to find one.

However, if you create a .NET assembly, there is no DllMain.

 

by: AlexFMPosted on 2005-06-09 at 22:48:10ID: 14185890

The following article explains what happens in your case (using CRT functions in managed C++ class library) and describes how to fix this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=814472

However, the better way is to replace unmanaged math.h with managed Math class. There is no need for using CRT in managed C++ project. Remove also stdio.h, all functions that you use from it are available in .NET.

 

by: DaeljanPosted on 2005-06-10 at 02:21:48ID: 14186694


Thanks Alex, that put me back on track.

Everything compiles and links cleanly, and it tests out ok.

All the best

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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