[Term Entry] Python Keywords: return

content/python/concepts/keywords/terms/return/return.md

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+---
+Title: 'return'
+Description: 'Ends a function and sends a value back to the caller.' 
+Subjects:
+  - 'Computer Science'
+  - 'Data Science'
+Tags: 
+  - 'Arguments'
+  - 'Functions'
+  - 'Parameters'
+  - 'Python'
+CatalogContent:
+  - 'learn-python-3'
+  - 'paths/computer-science'
+---
+
+The **`return`** keyword in Python is used inside a [function](https://www.codecademy.com/resources/docs/python/functions) to terminate its execution and send a value back to the caller.
+
+## Syntax
+
+```pseudo
+def function_name():
+  return value
+```
+
+The `return` statement is used inside a function defined using the `def` keyword. It must be written in lowercase (`return`). Using incorrect casing like `Return` or `RETURN` will result in a `SyntaxError`.
+
+## Example 1
+
+In this example, the `sum()` function returns the sum of the two input values:
+
+```py
+def sum(a, b):
+  result = a + b
+  return result
+print (sum(3, 4))
+```
+
+The output of this code is:
+
+```shell
+7
+```
+
+## Example 2
+
+In this example, the `get_user()` function demonstrates returning multiple values by separating them with commas:
+
+```py
+def get_user():
+  firstname = "Jane"
+  lastname = "Doe"
+  age = 30
+  return firstname, lastname, age
+
+user_firstname, user_lastname, user_age = get_user()
+print(user_firstname)
+print(user_lastname)
+print(user_age)
+```
+
+The output of this code will be:
+
+```shell
+Jane
+Doe
+30
+```
+
+## Codebyte Example
+
+The `return` keyword can be used to exit a function early. When used without a value, it implicitly returns `None` (which means no value is returned). The following code is demonstrating the same:
+
+```codebyte/python
+# Change the value of num and click run to see how the function output changes.
+
+num = 10
+
+def check_positive(x):
+  if x < 0:
+    print("Number is negative, stopping early.")
+    return  # exit early, returns None implicitly
+  print("Number is positive or zero.")
+  return x
+
+print("Returned value:", check_positive(num))
+```