Return Values vs Global Variables

Developers should master return values to write clean, predictable functions that avoid global state mutations and improve code maintainability meets developers should use global variables when they need to share data across multiple functions or modules without passing it as parameters, such as for configuration settings, application state, or constants used throughout a program. Here's our take.

Return Values

Nice Pick

Developers should master return values to write clean, predictable functions that avoid global state mutations and improve code maintainability

Pros

• They are crucial in scenarios like data processing, API responses, and mathematical computations, where functions need to produce results for further use
• Related to: functions, parameters-arguments

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Global Variables

Developers should use global variables when they need to share data across multiple functions or modules without passing it as parameters, such as for configuration settings, application state, or constants used throughout a program

Pros

• However, they should be used sparingly due to risks like unintended side-effects, debugging difficulties, and reduced code modularity, making them suitable for small scripts or specific cases where local alternatives are impractical
• Related to: variable-scoping, namespaces

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Return Values if: You want they are crucial in scenarios like data processing, api responses, and mathematical computations, where functions need to produce results for further use and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Global Variables if: You prioritize however, they should be used sparingly due to risks like unintended side-effects, debugging difficulties, and reduced code modularity, making them suitable for small scripts or specific cases where local alternatives are impractical over what Return Values offers.

The Bottom Line

Return Values wins

Developers should master return values to write clean, predictable functions that avoid global state mutations and improve code maintainability