Python Return Statement (Explicit and Implicit)

In Python, a return statement is used to exit a function and optionally return a value to the caller.

When a return statement is encountered in a function, the function stops executing, and the control is returned to the caller.

The value that follows the return keyword, if any, is the value that will be passed back to the caller.

Here is a simple example:

def add_numbers(x, y):
    result = x + y
    return result

sum = add_numbers(3, 5)
print(sum)

In this example, the add_numbers the function takes two arguments, adds them together, and then returns the result.

The sum variable is assigned the result of calling add_numbers with arguments 3 and 5, and then the value of sum is printed to the console, which outputs 8.

A return statement can also be used to exit a function early if a certain condition is met. Here is an example:

def is_positive(number):
    if number > 0:
        return True
    else:
        return False

In this example, the is_positive function takes a number as an argument and returns True if the number is greater than zero, and False otherwise.

If the number is greater than zero, the function immediately exits and returns True. If the number is less than or equal to zero, the function exits and returns False.

There are two types of return statements.

Explicit Python Return Statement

An explicit return statement is one that explicitly specifies the value that the function should return. For example, the following function has an explicit return statement:

def add_numbers(x, y):
    return x + y

In this example, the return statement explicitly specifies that the function should return the sum of x and y.

Implicit Python Return Statement

An implicit return statement, on the other hand, is a return statement that is not explicitly specified.

It occurs when a function ends without an explicit return statement.

In this case, the function will still return a value, but it will be None by default. Here’s an example:

def print_hello():
    print("Hello, world!")

In this example, the function print_hello does not have an explicit return statement.

Instead, it prints the string “Hello, world!” to the console.

However, because the function ends without an explicit return statement, it will still implicitly return None.

It’s worth noting that while implicit return statements can be used in Python, they can make code more difficult to read and understand.

Explicit return statements can clarify the code’s intent and help prevent errors.