What does return value mean?

The value a function sends back to the code that called it, with the return statement. A function with no return statement sends back None.

Also written as: return values, returns a value

In a lesson

A subprogram that returns a value, like area or distance(), is a function. One that only does something, like square or led("red"), is a procedure. Python uses def for both; the exam languages write them differently.

Learn it

• Taught in F4.2 Parameters and return values Functions and structured code, GCSE

Used in

• F1.3 Calling functions
• F4.1 Writing functions
• F4.3 Local and global variables
• F8.5 Negative numbers: two's complement
• F11.8 Writing secure programs
• A1.4 Subroutines, parameters and passing by reference
• A1.5 Scope, lifetime and debugging in an IDE
• A1.6 Programming paradigms and procedural programming
• A2.1 Stack frames and the call stack
• A2.2 Recursion

and 4 more lessons.

All glossary terms