Return Statement

In Python, the return statement is used in a function to specify the value that the function should return when it is called. It marks the end of the function's execution and returns control to the calling code. The basic syntax of the return statement is as follows:

def function_name(parameters):
    # Code to be executed
    return result  # Optional

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. The def keyword is used to define a function.
2. function_name is the name of the function.
3. parameters are the input values that the function accepts (optional).
4. The indented code block following the def statement is the body of the function.
5. The return statement, if used, specifies the value that the function should return to the calling code.

Example:

def add(x, y):
    """This function adds two numbers and returns the result."""
    result = x + y
    return result

# Calling the function and storing the result in a variable
sum_result = add(3, 4)

# Printing the result
print(f"The sum is: {sum_result}")

In this example, the add function takes two parameters (x and y), adds them, and returns the result using the return statement. The result is then stored in the variable sum_result.

Multiple Return Values:

def calculate(x, y):
    """This function calculates and returns the sum and product of two numbers."""
    sum_result = x + y
    product_result = x * y
    return sum_result, product_result

# Calling the function and unpacking the returned values
sum_result, product_result = calculate(3, 4)

# Printing the results
print(f"The sum is: {sum_result}")
print(f"The product is: {product_result}")

In this example, the calculate function returns both the sum and the product of two numbers, and these values are unpacked when calling the function.

Return Without a Value:

def greet(name):
    """This function prints a greeting message but doesn't return a value."""
    print(f"Hello, {name}!")

# Calling the function
result = greet("Alice")
print(result)  # Output: None

In this example, the greet function prints a greeting message but doesn't use a return statement, so it implicitly returns None.

The return statement is crucial for functions that produce a result that needs to be used or processed by the calling code. It allows functions to communicate information back to the part of the program that called them.