3.4.3. Return values

Most functions do not print results in the console. Instead, they calculate something and return the result as an output. This is done using the return statement. Although the following function is not that useful, it illustrates how it works:

# Define a function
def calculate_sum(arg1, arg2):
    result = arg1 + arg2
    return result

# Call the function with some values
print(calculate_sum(2, 6))

8

The function calculate_sum() is called with arguments 2 and 6. It executes, and then returns 8. Therefore, the print() function prints 8.

As a second example:

print(calculate_sum(calculate_sum(2, 6), 5))

13

The inner function calls calculate_sum() with arguments 2 and 6. The function executes and returns 8. Then, the outer function calls calculate_sum() with arguments 8 and 5. The function executes again and this time returns 13. Therefore, the print() function prints 13.