The return
statement returns a value (like a number, string, variable, object, and more…) back to the call to the function. This is useful when we want to obtain, store, and/or use a value from a function.
Breakdown
function monitorCount(rows, columns) {
return rows * columns;
}
This function, named monitorCount
has two parameters: rows
and columns
. The function returns the product of rows * columns
when it is called.
If I call the function using
monitorCount(5, 4);
this executes the function with 5
being the argument for rows
and 4
being the argument for columns
. Then, we reach the return statement. rows * columns
is calculated and this value, 20
, is passed back to the function call.
Now that the value has been passed back to the function call, I can store this value in a variable, use it in a calculation, or do one of an endless possibility of actions.
Examples
Here, numOfMonitors
stores the value returned from the function and passed back to the function call, which is 20
.
let numOfMonitors = monitorCount(5, 4);
console.log(numOfMonitors); // prints 20
Here, I use the value returned from the function in a calculation with mathematical operators.
let halfNumMonitors = monitorCount(5, 4) / 2;
console.log(halfNumMonitors); // prints 10
There are countless other ways a returned value can be used. See the documentation for return
here.