Return Values
Functions can send a value back with return.
Syntax
function add(a, b) { return a + b; }The return statement sends a value back to whoever called the function. The function stops running as soon as it hits return.
Using the result
Store the returned value in a variable, log it, or use it in an expression.
Example
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When to use it
- Return a calculated discount amount from a pricing function to store in the cart state.
- Return early from a validation function with false as soon as one rule fails.
- Return an object from a factory function to create new user records with computed defaults.
More examples
Return a computed value
Returns the discounted price so the caller can store or use the value.
function discount(price, pct) {
return price * (1 - pct);
}
const sale = discount(100, 0.2);
console.log(sale); // 80Early return for validation
Returns false early when a guard condition fails, avoiding deeply nested if-else blocks.
function validateAge(age) {
if (typeof age !== "number") return false;
if (age < 0 || age > 120) return false;
return true;
}
console.log(validateAge(25)); // true
console.log(validateAge(-1)); // falseReturn an object from a factory
Returns a new object from a factory function, using shorthand property names and defaults.
function createUser(name, role = "viewer") {
return { id: Date.now(), name, role, createdAt: new Date().toISOString() };
}
const admin = createUser("Alice", "admin");
console.log(admin.role); // "admin"
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