Return values in Python

 

In Python, functions can return values using the return keyword. When a function encounters a return statement, the function terminates and the returned value is passed back to the calling code. Understanding how to use return values in Python functions is an important aspect of writing efficient and effective code.

Here is an example of a simple function that takes two numbers as input and returns their sum:

def add(a, b):

    """This function adds two numbers and return the result"""

    result = a + b

    return result

num1 = 5

num2 = 10

print(add(num1, num2)) # call the function and print the returned value

In this example, the function add takes in two parameters a and b, and returns their sum using the return statement. When the function is called with the arguments 5 and 10, it returns the value 15, which is then printed by the calling code.

Functions can also return multiple values by returning a tuple or a list. For example, the following function add_subtract takes in two numbers, calculates their sum and difference, and returns them as a tuple:

def add_subtract(a, b):

    """This function adds and subtracts two numbers"""

    add = a + b

    subtract = a - b

    return add, subtract

x = 5

y = 10

print(add_subtract(x, y))

In this example, the function add_subtract takes in two parameters a and b and returns the tuple (15, -5) when it is called with the arguments 5 and 10.

You can also use the return statement in a function without any value to return None, which indicates that the function does not return anything.

def print_hello():

    """This function prints 'hello' and return None"""

    print("hello")

    return

print(print_hello())

In this example, the function print_hello does not return any value, it just print 'hello' and return None.

It's important to note that a function does not always have to return a value. In some cases, a function may simply perform a task or calculation and not return anything. For example, the following function print_hello does not return any value, it just print 'hello'

def print_hello():

    """This function prints 'hello' and return None"""

    print("hello")

print_hello()

In summary, the return statement is used to return a value or values from a function in Python. Functions can return a single value, multiple values in a tuple or list, or no value at all. Understanding how to use return values in Python functions is an important aspect of writing efficient and effective code.

Amelioration

This article was researched and written with the help of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI.

Special thanks to ChatGPT for providing valuable information and examples used in this article.