Return values

Learn to return a value from a method with return.

Return values

A method can return a value. The return type is a type name instead of void, and the body uses return to give the value. Example: static int Add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }.

When return runs, the method ends and the value goes back to the caller. If the return type is not void, every code path must end with a return.

return and flow

As soon as return runs, the method ends; the code after it does not run. This behavior can be used for an early return: when a condition is met, you end the method immediately.

In void methods you can also exit early with return;; in this case no value is given, only the flow ends. This simplifies code in conditional branches.

Exercise Add method

Define a static int Add(int a, int b) method; in the body write return a + b;. In Main, call it with int sum = Add(5, 7); and print sum with Console.WriteLine.

Show example solution

Write return a + b; in the Add body, add int sum = Add(5, 7); Console.WriteLine(sum); in Main.
Example solution:
using System;

class Program
{
    static int Add(int a, int b)
    {
        // Return the sum
        return a + b;
    }

    static void Main()
    {
        // Call Add and print the result
        int sum = Add(5, 7);
        Console.WriteLine(sum);
    }
}

Test yourself

Match each expression to its meaning

return 5;

Returns 5
static int

Returns int
return;

Exits flow
int sum = Add(2,3)

Stores result
What does the Add(3, 4) call print?
```
static int Add(int a, int b)
{
    return a + b;
}
int sum = Add(3, 4);
Console.WriteLine(sum);
```
- 3
- 4
- 7
- 12
Show answer

7 — Correct. Add(3, 4) returns 7; Console prints 7.

return statement

static int Square(int n)
{
    ____
}

Show answer

static int Square(int n)
{
    return n * n;
}

Next lesson: void methods

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