Command Line Arguments in C: Understanding argc and argv

This lecture covers the command line arguments in C programming, focusing on the prototypes of the main function. The instructor explains the two valid prototypes: 'int main(void)' and 'int main(int argc, char* argv[])'. The first prototype is a simple version without parameters, while the second allows for command line arguments. The lecture details how 'argc' counts the number of arguments passed to the program, including the program name itself, and 'argv' is an array of character pointers representing the arguments. An example is provided to illustrate how to pass options and filenames to a program via the command line. The instructor emphasizes the importance of understanding how these parameters are passed and how they can be accessed within the program. The lecture concludes by reiterating that there are only two prototypes for the main function in C, clarifying common misconceptions about additional variations.