Return Values in Python

After a calculation or processing inside a Python function, the return statement is used to send the result outside the function.

1. What is return?

return is a Python keyword that sends a value out of a function.

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

Here, the function returns the result of the addition.

2. Calling a Function with return

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

result = add(10, 20)

print(result)

Output:

30

We can store the returned value in the result variable.

3. return vs print()

4. Example using print()

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

add(10, 20)

Output:

30

Here, the result was only displayed on the screen.

5. Example using return

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

result = add(10, 20)

print(result)

Output

30

Here, the result was returned and stored in a variable.

6. Using Returned Value in Another Calculation

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

result = add(10, 20)

final_result = result * 2

print(final_result)

Output:

60

7. Returning a String

def welcome(name):
    return "Welcome " + name

message = welcome("Amit")

print(message)

Output:

Welcome Amit

8. Returning Boolean Value

A function can also return True or False.

def is_even(number):
    return number % 2 == 0

print(is_even(10))
print(is_even(7))

Output:

True
False

9. Returning Multiple Values

A Python function can also return more than one value.

def calculate(a, b):

    addition = a + b
    subtraction = a - b

    return addition, subtraction


add_result, sub_result = calculate(20, 10)

print("Addition:", add_result)
print("Subtraction:", sub_result)

Output:

Addition: 30
Subtraction: 10

10. Returning a List

def get_courses():

    courses = [
        "Python",
        ".NET",
        "Java",
        "Data Science"
    ]

    return courses


courses = get_courses()

print(courses)

Output:

['Python', '.NET', 'Java', 'Data Science']

11. Returning a Dictionary

def get_student():

    student = {
        "name": "Amit",
        "course": "Python",
        "city": "Pune"
    }

    return student


student = get_student()

print(student)

Output:

{'name': 'Amit', 'course': 'Python', 'city': 'Pune'}

12. return Stops Function Execution

When Python encounters a return statement, function execution stops at that point.

def test():

    print("Start")

    return 100

    print("End")


result = test()

print(result)

Output:

Start
100

"End" was not printed because function execution stopped after the return statement.

13. return Without a Value

If you write only return in a function, Python returns None.

def test():
    return

result = test()

print(result)

Output:

None

14. CIIT Fee Example 📩🖥️

A return value is useful for calculating the final fee based on the course fee and discount.

def calculate_fee(fee, discount):

    discount_amount = fee * discount / 100

    final_fee = fee - discount_amount

    return final_fee


final_fee = calculate_fee(35000, 10)

print("Final Fee:", final_fee)

Output:

Final Fee: 31500.0

15. Student Result Example 📩🖥️

def calculate_percentage(marks, total):

    percentage = (marks / total) * 100

    return percentage


percentage = calculate_percentage(450, 500)

print("Percentage:", percentage)

Output:

Percentage: 90.0

16. return with if Statement

def check_result(marks):

    if marks >= 40:
        return "Pass"

    return "Fail"


print(check_result(75))
print(check_result(30))

Output:

Pass
Fail

17. Using One Function's Return in Another Function

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


def double(number):
    return number * 2


result = add(10, 20)

final_result = double(result)

print(final_result)

Output:

60

18. Common Mistakes

# Wrong approach

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

result = add(10, 20)

print(result)

Output:

30
None

Here, the function did not return a value. It only printed the result, so None was stored in result.

# Correct approach

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

result = add(10, 20)

print(result)

Output

30

19. Interview Points

• What does the return statement do in Python?
• What is the difference between return and print()?
• Can a Python function return multiple values?
• Does code execute after a return statement?
• What is returned if a function does not have a return statement?
• Can a function return a list or dictionary?