Using the Python return Statement Effectively (Overview)

Howard Francis
Using the Python return Statement Effectively Howard Francis 01:17
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The Python return statement is a key component of functions and methods. You can use the return statement to make your functions send Python objects back to the caller code. These objects are known as the function’s return value. You can use them to perform further computation in your programs.

Using the return statement effectively is a core skill if you want to code custom functions that are Pythonic and robust.

In this course, you’ll learn:

  • How to use the Python return statement in your functions
  • How to return single or multiple values from your functions
  • What best practices to observe when using return statements

For more information on defining your own functions, take a look at the following resources:

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Course Slides (.pdf)

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00:00 Welcome to this course on the Python return statement: usage and best practices.

00:06 As you can see, you’ll be learning a lot, starting with the basics of Python’s return statement, and then looking at many of the more interesting things Python can do.

00:17 The Python return statement is a key component of functions and methods. You can use the return statement to make your function send Python objects back to where the function was called.

00:28 These objects are known as the function’s return value, and it is intended that these objects will be used in your program’s further computations. Using the return statement effectively is important to writing better and more Pythonic code. In this course, you will learn how to write a Python return statement, how you can return single and multiple values with a return statement, and what are the best practices for using the Python return statement.

00:57 For background information on using functions in general, you should look for the tutorial and course on defining your own Python functions. This course is based on a tutorial by Leodanis Pozo Ramos.

01:10 I’m Howard Francis, and I’m excited to be leading you through this course. Let’s get started!

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