Returning a Value From a Function link

• Returning Functions

The functions can return a value using the return keyword inside the function definition. After the return statement is executed, the control gets back to the caller. A function invocation is replaced with the value that the call returns. Thus, that value can be saved in a variable.

• Syntax The function definition for returning a value from a function:

There are two ways to actually return the value.

The general syntax for returning a value from a function using the return keyword:

The following syntax can be used to return a value from a function without using the return keyword:

Just write the return value, the compiler will interpret it because of the -> sign in the function definition.

Example 1 link

The following example makes a function square() that takes a number n as a parameter to the function and stores the square of n in the local variable m and returns the variable m.

  fn square(n:i32)->i32{
  println!("The value of n inside function : {}", n);
  let m = n * n;
  m // return the square of the number n
}  
fn main() {
  let  n = 4;
  println!("The value of n before function call : {}", n);
  println!("Invoke Function");
  println!("\nOutput : {}",square(n));
}
  

output

  The value of n before function call : 4
Invoke Function
The value of n inside function : 4

Output : 16
  

Example 2 link

The following example makes a function square() that takes a number n as a parameter to the function and returns the square of the number n by using the return keyword.

  fn square(n:i32)->i32{
  println!("The value of n inside function : {}", n);
  return n * n;
}  
fn main() {
  let  n = 4;
  println!("The value of n before function call : {}", n);
  println!("Invoke Function");
  println!("\nOutput : {}", square(n));
}
  

output

  The value of n before function call : 4
Invoke Function
The value of n inside function : 4

Output : 16
  

Explanation link

The above program is of two parts, the user defined function square() and the driver function main() where the function is being called.

• User defined function

The function square() is defined from line 1 to line 4.

• On line 3 n is multiplied with itself and the value is saved in n and value of type i32 is returned using the return keyword.

• Driver function

The driver function main() is defined from line 5 to line 10.

• On line 6, a variable n is defined.
• On line 9, the function square() is invoked which takes n as an argument to the function and the value of the square is printed using the println!() macro.

Quiz link

Test your understanding of returning a value from a function in Rust.