What are the differences between break and exit() in C?

The major difference between break and exit() is that break is a keyword, which causes an immediate exit from the switch or loop (for, while or do), while exit() is a standard library function, which terminates program execution when it is called.

The general syntax of the exit() function is

void exit(int return_code);

The value of return_code is returned to the calling process, so the success or failure of the program can be tested by another program that uses this one as a sub-process. Conventionally, a return value of 0 signals that all is well; non-zero values usually signal abnormal situations. The exit() calls fclose for each open output file, to flush out any buffered output.

Within main, return expr is equivalent to exit(expr). The exit has the advantage that it can be called from other functions.

The following table presents the difference between break and exit().

Difference between `break` and `exit()`
break	exit()
`break` is a keyword in C.	`exit()` is a standard library function.
`break` causes an immediate exit from the `switch` or loop (`for`, `while` or `do`).	`exit()` terminates program execution when it is called.
`break` is a reserved word in C; therefore it can't be used as a variable name.	`exit()` can be used as a variable name.
No header files needs to be included in order to use `break` statement in a C program.	`stdlib.h` needs to be included in order to use `exit()`.
`break` transfers the control to the statement follows the `switch` or loop (`for`, `while` or `do`) in which `break` is executed.	`exit()` returns the control to the operating system or another program that uses this one as a sub-process.
Example of `break` // some code here before while loop while(true) { ... if(condition) break; } // some code here after while loop In the above code, `break` terminates the `while` loop and some code here after while loop will be executed after breaking the loop.	Example of `exit()` // some code here before while loop while(true) { ... if(condition) exit(-1); } // some code here after while loop In the above code, when `if(condition)` returns true, `exit(-1)` will be executed and the program will get terminated. Upon call of `exit(-1);` `-1` will be returned to the calling program that is operating system most of the time. The some code here after while loop will never be executed in this case.
Conclusively, `break` is a program control statement which is used to alter the flow of control upon a specified conditions.	`exit()` is a libbrary function, which causes immediate termination of the entire program, forcing a return to the operating system.

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What are the differences between break and exit() in C?

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