Question

'Irue or false? a. A function has exactly one return statement. b. A function has at least one return statement. c. A function has at most one return value. d. A function that does not return a value never has a return statement. e. When executing a return statement, the function exits immediately. f. A function that does not return a value must print a result. 9\. A function without parameter variables always returns the same value.

Short answer

Statements b, c, f, and g are false; Statement e is true; Statements a and d are false.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Return Statement Basics

A return statement in a function specifies the value to return to the function caller. Functions can have multiple return statements, but a function may also have none.

Analyze Each Statement

We need to evaluate each statement individually to determine whether it is true or false based on our understanding of functions and return statements.

Evaluate Statement a

Statement a claims that a function has exactly one return statement. This is false because functions can have multiple return statements or none at all.

Evaluate Statement b

Statement b asserts that a function has at least one return statement. This is false because a function is not required to have a return statement at all.

Evaluate Statement c

Statement c suggests that a function has at most one return value. This is false because a function can return multiple values, commonly in the form of a tuple.

Evaluate Statement d

Statement d claims that a function that does not return a value never has a return statement. This is false because a function can have a return statement with no actual return value (i.e., `return None`).

Evaluate Statement e

Statement e indicates that executing a return statement exits the function immediately. This is true, as reaching a return stops further execution of the function.

Evaluate Statement f

Statement f declares that a function that does not return a value must print a result. This is false. A function isn’t required to return or print anything.

Evaluate Statement g

Statement g implies a function without parameter variables always returns the same value. This is false, as the return value can depend on other factors such as global variables or mutable objects.

Key concepts

Understanding Function Multiple Return Statements

In programming, a function can contain multiple return statements. This means that based on different conditions, a function can decide to send back different values. - For instance, a function could check a condition and return one value if it is true and another if it is not. - Having multiple return statements allows for more flexibility and decision-making within your function. It is important to note that when a return statement is executed, the function terminates immediately. Therefore, only one return statement will actually be executed during a single call of the function.

Comprehending Function Return Value

The return value of a function is the output that the function sends back to wherever it was called from. - This is done through a return statement. When you call a function, it can compute and then return data that can be used elsewhere in your code. - Functions can return a single value like an integer or a multi-valued tuple, depending on how it's defined. This is extremely useful for solving problems and dividing code into reusable pieces, where each function can contribute to a more complex computation.

Exploring Function Output Behavior

Understanding a function's output behavior involves knowing how and when a function returns its result. - Upon reaching a return statement, the function will exit immediately. No further code within that function will execute. - If no return statement is executed, the function will finish its last line of code and return `None` by default. Thus, you should strategically place return statements in your code, ensuring they provide the desired output and terminate execution at appropriate points.

Unveiling Parameterless Functions

A function without parameters, often referred to as a parameterless function, does not require any arguments when called. - Despite having no parameters, these functions can still perform complex operations, such as manipulating global variables or using built-in resources. - They might return different values on different calls based on changing external factors, like global state or input-output operations. In essence, their behavior can vary significantly and they are not constrained to returning just one predictable value.