Im having a hard time understanding returns in functions. Exactly what is a return?

Question

i understand the return gathers information from the function and can be executed by a variable for calling the function but im not very sure i know what return does?

john larson · Accepted Answer

Marlon, hi.  In programming there seems to be a lot of focus on making functions that can be used not just once, but as many times as they are useful.  You haven't got to the point yet where it will become apparent why this matters.  At this point in your learning just know... it's a thing.  Reusable functions.  Ill try to make an example and maybe clarify return 
```JavaScript
function add(a, b){
  return a + b 
}
//instead of just printing a + b when the function runs,
// a + b is sent back to the function call
// these following three lines are three separate function calls 
// to the same function
//getting three different results
add(2, 2) //send in 2, 2: 4 is returned
add(4, 4) //send in 4, 4: 8 is returned
add(6, 6) // send in 6, 6: 12 is returned
// none of these have been printed to the page
// they are waiting for you to do something with them
// therefore you can use them however you like
// if you just printed the numbers to the page
// you would be done with them

Chyno Deluxe · Answer

Returns allow you return information base on the logic of the function.
for example lets say you had a simple adding app that takes to numbers and adds them together. You can do something like this.
```javascript
function sum(n1,n2){
    return n1 + n2;
}
var num1 = 5;
var num2 = 10
var total = sum(num1, num2); // 15
```
so instead of writing 
javascript 
var total = num1 + num2; // 15

you are creating a reusable function that will return that information and turn the variable into that returned value.
I hope this helps.

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MARLON LOZANO

MARLON LOZANO

Im having a hard time understanding returns in functions. Exactly what is a return?

2 Answers

john larson

john larson

Chyno Deluxe

Chyno Deluxe

MARLON LOZANO

MARLON LOZANO