Return Value

Definitions

1. The data that a function or method sends back to its caller upon completion, determined by a return statement or the language's implicit return rules. The type and meaning of the return value form part of the function's contract.

   In plain English: The answer a function gives back after it finishes doing its work.

   Example: "The function returns null on failure instead of throwing — check the return value before dereferencing."

Related Terms

• Iteration
• Method
• Return Type
• Sequential Execution
• Switch Statement
• Try-Catch
• While Loop
• Hello World
• Break Statement
• Callback
• Callback Function
• Chain
• Code Path
• Conditional
• Continue Statement
• Control Flow