Return

This is a Python keyword. We use return to signal the end of a method. We can place one or more return values in a method—they are executed when encountered.

In Python, we find different terms for things like "void" methods. And for "no value" we have the special None value. Tuples can return multiple things at once.

No return value

Methods in Python do not need to return a value. If we use the "return" statement alone, no value is returned. This is called a void method in other languages.

def print_name(first, middle, last):
    # Validate middle initial length.
    if len(middle) != 1:
        print("Middle initial too long")
        return
    # Display.
    print(first + " " + middle + ". " + last)

# Call method.
print_name("Jake", "R", "Chambers")
Jake R. Chambers

Return none

When a method has no return value specified, and it terminates, the None value is returned. We can test for None. Here, example() returns None unless "x" is greater than zero.

def example(x):
    # Return a value only if argument is greater than zero.
    if x > 0:
        return x

print(example(0))
print(example(1))
None
1

Return multiple values

A tuple is a small container for more than one value. We can return 2 or more values from a method at once with a tuple. These values can be unpacked.

def get_names_uppercase(a, b):
    # This method returns 2 strings in a tuple.
    return (a.upper(), b.upper());
    
# Get tuple from the method.
result = get_names_uppercase("vidiadhar", "naipaul")
print(result)

# Extract first and second return values.
first = result[0]
second = result[1]
print(first)
print(second)
('VIDIADHAR', 'NAIPAUL')
VIDIADHAR
NAIPAUL

The return keyword is an essential part of Python programs. With it we direct the flow of control. We can return multiple values with a special type like a tuple.