JavaScript introduction to function returns

[Pavel]

i know all of this is simple, but its where i am coming from

what is a return?

i know the word means "give back"

what is being given back via a return?

from what does a return come from / created?

maybe provide a few, simple, introductory examples with descriptive comments, please?

and anything else i should know

please know i appreciate your time, assistance and patience

this is a tough concept for me, so please keep it simple and clear for now 🙂

MANY THANKS!

 

[menator01]

I'm not familiar with javascript but, I think the concepts are the same on most scripting languages.
I will give some examples in python on returns

# Create a function with a variable set with some text and return when the function is called
def myfunc():
    myvar = 'This is a variable' # a variable set with some text
    return myvar # gets returned when the function is called

# In python calling a function with a return value will not print unless you call the print function
myfunc()

# This function call will print
print(myfunc())

# A function with an argument
# This function has a return if the argument is set and a return if it's not set
def myfunc2(arg=None):
    if arg:
        return arg
    return 'No argument was set'

# Again to see the returned value you will need to call print
print(myfunc2())

print(myfunc2('This argument was set '))

# In my opinion return is a way of displaying the data when you need it.
# Generally function are for manipulating data and returning the result.

I hope this helps

 

[BorkedSystem32]

what is being given back via a return?

The value being returned by a function depends on its return type - this is just any variable type(integer, string or character, floating-point, etc.) For example: int func1 returns an integer value whereas char func2 returns a character value.

Take a look over @menator01 examples, as they clearly show how to use returns. They are a simple concept that you needn't be too concerned about unless you are writing a compiler/interpreter which at that point, you will need to know how the insides of returns work.

 

[Pavel]

# Create a function with a variable set with some text and return when the function is called def myfunc(): myvar = 'This is a variable' # a variable set with some text return myvar # gets returned when the function is called

what is calling a function ?

example / definition of calling the function please

please, what does “return to caller” mean?

so my returns come from my variable? myvar = ("my name is Pavel")

when the function is called, return is "my name is Pavel"

"return when the function is called" whats this?

let x = myFunction(4, 3);   

function myFunction(a, b) {
  return a * b;           
}

WHY return a * b?

can i return a + b?

keep it simple 🙂

i sincerely appreciate both your time and guidance

 

[menator01]

calling a function simply means executing the function
a function can contain many operations.
w3schools would be a good starting point. Here is a link on functions.
I have learned much about python from here.

 

[BorkedSystem32]

WHY return a * b?

can i return a + b?

a*b is just an example statement; return statements can return any piece of data(integer, string/character, floating-point, etc.) or they can return a value that has been calculated by an operation(+, -, *, /, %).

please, what does “return to caller” mean?

Let's say we have two functions: main and foo. In main, we call foo and pass two integer arguments to it(a and b). Foo will return a value(let's say, return a+b. Once we have reached that return statement, program execution returns to main and the program continues to run from there until an exit signal has been issued(put simply: program runs until it quits).

w3schools would be a good starting point. Here is a link on functions.

I'd just like to point out that W3Schools has had some issues in the past in regards to accurate, up-to-date information(alongside a few other issues). They're probably better now, but despite that, consider using something like MDN from now on - the information is consistently kept up-to-date, they document the latest web standards, and searching for information is very easy.