Python return statement

Last Updated : 10 Dec, 2024

A return statement is used to end the execution of the function call and it "returns" the value of the expression following the return keyword to the caller. The statements after the return statements are not executed. If the return statement is without any expression, then the special value None is returned. A return statement is overall used to invoke a function so that the passed statements can be executed.

Example:

Python

def add(a, b):

    # returning sum of a and b
    return a + b

def is_true(a):

    # returning boolean of a
    return bool(a)

# calling function
res = add(2, 3)
print(res)

res = is_true(2<5)
print(res)

Output

5
True

Explanation:

add(a, b) Function: Takes two arguments a and b. Returns the sum of a and b.
is_true(a) Function: Takes one argument a. Returns the boolean value of a.
Function Calls: res = add(2, 3) computes the sum of 2 and 3, storing the result (5) in res. res = is_true(2 < 5) evaluates the expression 2 < 5 (which is True) and stores the boolean value True in res.

Let's explore python return statement in detail:

Table of Content

Syntax:
Returning Multiple Values
Returning a List or Dictionary
Function returning another function

Syntax:

def function_name(parameters):
# Function body
return value

When the return statement is executed, the function terminates and the specified value is returned to the caller. If no value is specified, the function returns None by default.

Note:

Note: Return statement can not be used outside the function.

Returning Multiple Values

Python allows you to return multiple values from a function by returning them as a tuple:

Example:

Python

def fun():
    name = "Alice"
    age = 30
    return name, age

name, age = fun()
print(name)  
print(age)   # Output: 30

Output

Alice
30

In this example, the fun() function returns two values: name and age. The caller unpacks these values into separate variables.

Returning List

We can also return more complex data structures such as lists or dictionaries from a function:

Python

def fun(n):
    return [n**2, n**3]

res = fun(3)
print(res)

Output

[9, 27]

In this case, the function fun() returns a list containing the square and cube of the input number.

Function returning another function

In Python, functions are first-class citizens, meaning you can return a function from another function. This is useful for creating higher-order functions.

Here's an example of a function that returns another function:

Python

def fun1(msg):
    def fun2():
        # Using the outer function's message
        return f"Message: {msg}"
    return fun2

# Getting the inner function
fun3 = fun1("Hello, World!")

# Calling the inner function
print(fun3())

Output

Message: Hello, World!

Suggested Quiz

7 Questions

What is the primary purpose of a return statement in a function?

A

To initiate a function call
B

To terminate the program
C

To end the execution of the function and return a value
D

To define the function parameters

Explanation:

In Python, what happens if a return statement is executed without an expression?

A

The function continues executing
B

The function raises an error
C

The function returns a default value of None
D

The function returns the last executed statement

Explanation:

How can a function return multiple values in Python?

A

By using multiple return statements
B

By returning a list or tuple
C

By returning a dictionary only
D

By using global variables

Explanation:

What will be the output of the following code?

def my_function():

return 5

result = my_function()

print(result)

A

None
B

5
C

Error
D

my_function

Explanation:

return statement returns the value 5 from the function my_function(). The returned value is assigned to result and printed.

What will happen if a function contains a return statement followed by unreachable code?

A

The unreachable code will execute
B

The function will raise an exception
C

The unreachable code will be ignored
D

The function will return an error

Explanation:

What will be the output of the following code?

def check_number(num):

if num > 0:

return "Positive"

else:

return "Non-positive"

print(check_number(5))

A

Non-positive
B

Positive
C

None
D

Error

Explanation:

check_number function checks if the input is positive. Since the argument is 5, it returns "Positive".

What will be the output of the following code?

def my_function():

return 1

return 2

result = my_function()

print(result)

A

1
B

2
C

None
D

Error

Explanation:

In the my_function function, the first return 1 statement terminates the function, so the second return 2 is never reached. Thus, the returned value is 1.