Why is Main method private?

C#.NetSyntaxMethods

C# Problem Overview

New console project template creates a Main method like this:

class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
}
}

Why is it that neither the Main method nor the Program class need to be public?

C# Solutions

Solution 1 - C#

The entry point of a program is marked with the .entrypoint IL directive. It does not matter if the method or the class is public or not, all that matters is this directive.

Solution 2 - C#

The Main method shouldn't need to be called by anyone.

It is actually marked as the entry point for execution in the EXE itself, and therefore has no outside callers by default.

If you WANT, you can open it up to be called by marking public, e.g. if you are turning a console app into an API.

Solution 3 - C#

Yes. You can mark the main() method as public, private or protected. If you want to initiate the entry point by any external program then you might need to make it public so it is accessible. You can mark it as private if you know there is no external usage for the application then it is better to make it private so no external application access it.

public class MainMethod
{
    private  static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello World !!");
    }
}

Solution 4 - C#

Public or Private keyword doesn't make a difference in this case, it completely depends on usage and scope of the application. Use below mentioned keywords in different scenarios.

  1. Public - If we want to initiate entry point by any external program, then you might need to make it public so it is accessible.
  2. Private - If we know there is no external usage for the application, then it is better to make it private so no external application access it.
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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestionFrantišek ŽiačikView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - C#dtbView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - C#John GietzenView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - C#Vinayak SavaleView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - C#Aakash DhoundiyalView Answer on Stackoverflow