Return Values in Python Functions
Until now, our functions only printed results. But often, we want a function to send back a value so we can reuse it later. This is where return comes in.
1) Introduction
In Python, functions can use the return statement to send a value back to the caller.
Unlike print(), which just displays something on the screen, return actually hands back data for further use in your program.
def add(a, b):
return a + b
result = add(5, 3)
print(result) # Output: 8
Key Difference:
print()→ only shows output on screen, no reusable value.return→ sends result back, can be stored in variables or used in further calculations.
2) Returning Multiple Values
Python allows returning multiple values separated by commas. These values are packed into a tuple.
def calculate(a, b):
return a + b, a - b, a * b
result = calculate(10, 5)
print(result) # (15, 5, 50)
x, y, z = calculate(10, 5)
print(x, y, z) # 15 5 50
3) Returning None
If a function has no return statement, or just return without value, Python returns None by default.
def greet(name):
print("Hello,", name)
result = greet("Alice")
print(result) # Output: None
4) Common Mistakes
- Confusing print and return: Using
print()inside a function when you actually needreturn. - Using returned value without assignment: If you don’t store the return, the value is lost.
- Multiple return statements: Once a return is executed, the function ends immediately.
def test():
print("Hello")
return "Bye"
print("This will never run")
print(test())
# Output:
# Hello
# Bye
💡 Try It Yourself
- Write a function that returns the square of a number.
- Write a function that returns both the quotient and remainder of two numbers.
- Write a function that takes a string and returns both uppercase and lowercase versions.
- Modify a function to print and return values, then observe the difference.
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