---
title: return
tags:
  - python
  - functions
  - return
aliases:
  - return statement
  - return keyword
  - none
---

> [!note] Concept  
> The `return` keyword ends a function and sends back a value. Without it, a function will return `None`.  
> 
> > [!example] Explicit Return  
> > ```python
> > def sub_two_nums(a, b):
> >   return a - b
> > 
> > result = sub_two_nums(100, 49)
> > print(result)  # 51
> > ```
> 
> > [!example] Implicit Return (None)  
> > ```python
> > def no_return_example():
> >   x = 2 + 2
> > 
> > print(no_return_example())  # None
> > ```
> 
> > [!important] Best Practices  
> > - Always use `return` when a function is expected to give a result.  
> > - Use `None` as a placeholder return value when the function’s main purpose is side effects.  
> > - Avoid mixing return types in the same function (e.g., returning both `int` and `None`).  
> 
> > [!info] Related Notes  
> > [[functions]]  
> > [[len()]]  
> > [[pythonSyntaxOverview]]