What does "undefined reference to 'WinMain@16'" mean when including SDL2 libraries in a C++ setting?

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This error message usually occurs when the linker is unable to find the required entry point WinMain() in the program. WinMain() is the entry point function in Windows for C++ applications, and is responsible for initializing the application and starting its main loop.

There are various reasons why this error may occur when including SDL2 libraries in a C++ setting. Some of the common causes and solutions to this error include:

1. Incorrect build settings: Make sure that you have correctly set the build settings for your project to target the appropriate platform and architecture. Also, check that the SDL2 libraries are linked properly.

2. Missing or incorrect main() function: If your code does not have a main() function or if it is implemented incorrectly, it can cause this error. Make sure that your main() function is defined properly.

3. Undefined reference to SDL main: SDL2 defines its own main entry point, which can cause a conflict with the main entry point of your program. To resolve this, you can define SDLMAINHANDLED before including the SDL2 library.

4. Missing SDL2main.lib or SDL2.lib: Make sure that you have included the SDL2main.lib and SDL2.lib libraries in your project. These libraries are required to link with SDL2 and provide the necessary entry points.

Overall, this error can be resolved by ensuring that your project is set up properly and configured to link with the SDL2 libraries correctly.