Explicit return statement in Ruby

Introduction

We use an explicit return statement to clearly say what value a method should give back when it finishes.

When you want to stop a method early and send back a value.

When you want to make your code easier to read by showing the return value clearly.

When you have multiple places in a method that can send back different results.

When you want to return a value before the method reaches the end.

Syntax

Ruby

def method_name
  # some code
  return value_to_return
end

The return keyword immediately ends the method and sends back the value.

If you don't use return, Ruby automatically returns the last evaluated expression.

Examples

This method returns a greeting message explicitly using return.

Ruby

def greet(name)
  return "Hello, #{name}!"
end

Returns early if the number is less than 10, otherwise returns a different message.

Ruby

def check_number(num)
  return "Too small" if num < 10
  "Large enough"
end

Returns the sum of two numbers explicitly.

Ruby

def add(a, b)
  sum = a + b
  return sum
end

Sample Program

This program checks if a number is even. It uses return to send back a message early if the number is even.

Ruby

def find_even(number)
  return "Even number found!" if number.even?
  "Not an even number"
end

puts find_even(4)
puts find_even(7)

Important Notes

Using return can make your code clearer, especially in longer methods.

Remember, return stops the method immediately, so code after it won't run.

Summary

Explicit return tells Ruby exactly what value to send back from a method.

It helps stop the method early and makes your code easier to understand.

You can use it anytime you want to return a value before the method ends.