Explicit return statement in Ruby - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this Ruby method with explicit return?

Consider the following Ruby method. What will be printed when example_method is called?

Ruby

def example_method
  return 5
  10
end

puts example_method

A nil

B 10

C 5

D SyntaxError

💡 Hint

Remember that return immediately exits the method with the given value.

The return 5 line stops the method and returns 5. The line 10 is never reached.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What does this method return without an explicit return?

Look at this Ruby method. What value does it return when called?

Ruby

def no_return_method
  3 + 4
end

puts no_return_method

A SyntaxError

B 7

C 3 + 4

D nil

💡 Hint

In Ruby, the last evaluated expression is returned if no explicit return is used.

The method returns the result of 3 + 4, which is 7, because Ruby returns the last expression automatically.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Which option causes a syntax error due to incorrect return usage?

Identify which code snippet will cause a syntax error in Ruby because of incorrect use of return.

A

def test
  return 5 +
end

B

def test
  return
  puts 'Hello'
end

C

def test
  return 5
end

D

def test
  puts 'Hi'
  return 10
end

💡 Hint

Look for incomplete expressions after the return keyword.

Option A has an incomplete expression after return (5 +) causing a syntax error. Others are valid.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

What is the effect of an explicit return inside a block?

What happens if you use return inside a block passed to a method in Ruby?

A It returns from the entire method that contains the block.

B It returns from the block only, continuing the method execution.

C It causes a syntax error because return is not allowed in blocks.

D It returns nil and continues execution.

💡 Hint

Think about how return behaves inside blocks versus methods.

In Ruby, a return inside a block returns from the method that contains the block, not just the block itself.

🚀 Application

expert

What is the output of this Ruby method with multiple returns?

Analyze this Ruby method and determine what it prints when called.

Ruby

def multi_return(x)
  if x > 10
    return 'Greater'
  elsif x == 10
    return 'Equal'
  end
  'Smaller'
end

puts multi_return(10)

A Greater

B Smaller

C nil

D Equal

💡 Hint

Check the condition that matches the input and which return is executed.

Since x is 10, the second condition matches and returns 'Equal'.