Return Values

↩️ Return Values

A return value is the result that a function sends back to the place where it was called.

We use the return keyword to send a value back.

🔹 Basic Example

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

result = add(10, 5)

print(result) #15

🔹 return vs print()

print() displays a value, while return sends the value back.

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

result = add(10, 5)

print(result) #15

Because the function returns the value, we can store it, use it in another calculation, or pass it to another function.

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

result = add(10, 5) * 2

print(result) #30

🔹 Returning Multiple Values

A function can return multiple values.

def calculate(a, b):
    return a + b, a - b

addition, subtraction = calculate(10, 5)

print(addition) #15
print(subtraction) #5

Python returns them together as a tuple.

🔹 return Stops the Function

Once Python reaches return, the function immediately stops executing.

def check_age(age):
    if age >= 18:
        return "Adult"

    return "Minor"

print(check_age(20)) #Adult

⭐ Remember

print()  → Displays the result 🖥️

return   → Sends the result back ↩️

Use return when you want to use the result of a function somewhere else in your program.