When we compile a source code that contains a 'main' without linking, why can't we run it?

Question

I am learning about compiling process and I know that linking is mainly used to link a binary file which contains a \'main\' function with other binary files that contain ot

Answer 1

Even the most basic commands like exit aren't directly in the language and need to be linked.

http://en.cppreference.com/w/c/program/exit