What happens to global variable(s) when main() is retuned or over?

Question

Folks, as the global or static variables are stored in data section of process and their scope is throughout the program, but once the main() function returns or complete execution or when whole program is executed and activation record of main() is also popped off from stack, but then what happens to that data section?

Does global variable stays or the whole process is deleted including global variables from memory once the program ran to completion?

Answer 1

Look it's not data section but data segment first thing. Undoubtedly Global Variables, Static variables r present in there when d execution is taking place. The program is loaded from Hard Disk into RAM for execution. So d values r not retained after d program has finished execution. And when d process ends it is no longer process but Program. The executable of d prog supported by Windows or d .exe (for process) is format. This u might be aware of. Once whole process ends not program d values r no longer retained. D program goes back to d location of Hard Disk. I Hope this helps u. :). The values cud be retained if File Handling is used. :)

Comments

yes , all static and global variable are in RAM. not in hard disk. Even stack and heap also in RAM.

How r u telling .exe not a program?
from wiki:EXE is a file extension for an executable file format. An executable is a file that contains a program - that is, a particular kind of file that is capable of being executed or run as a program in the computer. An executable file can be run by a program in Microsoft DOS or Windows through a command or a double click.

---

@Devshree correct me if I am wrong :)

---

@Srestha, Let's keep wiki aside. You alone tell how would you do the Distinction between a Process and Program??Say. The executable format is a Process. Use your own discretion. A Program is mostly in form of a Text, Images, Documents, Pdfs or Source Code. But for a Process, it is Program in Execution. Just think through. The question is not of right or wrong. But of what is authentic. :). Thats it. :)