Return Values
Return values are a fundamental programming concept where a function or method outputs a result back to the caller after execution. They enable data flow between different parts of a program, allowing functions to compute and pass information without side effects. This mechanism is essential for modular, reusable, and testable code in virtually all programming languages.
Developers should master return values to write clean, predictable functions that avoid global state mutations and improve code maintainability. They are crucial in scenarios like data processing, API responses, and mathematical computations, where functions need to produce results for further use. Understanding return types and error handling (e.g., using exceptions or optionals) is key for robust application development.