🔁 C Function Return Values

In C, a function can return a value back to the caller using the return statement. The return type is specified before the function name in the declaration and definition.

🔹 What is a Return Value?

A return value is the output a function sends back after it completes. This allows the calling code to use that result in further operations.

📝 Example 1: Function Returning an Integer

This function adds two numbers and returns the result.

#include <stdio.h>

int add(int a, int b); // Function declaration

int main() {
    int sum = add(4, 6); // Store the return value
    printf("Sum: %d\n", sum);
    return 0;
}

int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b; // Return the result
}
  

📝 Example 2: Returning a Float

This function divides two numbers and returns a floating-point result.

#include <stdio.h>

float divide(int x, int y); // Function declaration

int main() {
    float result = divide(10, 3);
    printf("Result: %.2f\n", result);
    return 0;
}

float divide(int x, int y) {
    return (float)x / y; // Typecast to float
}
  

📝 Example 3: Function Returning Nothing (void)

If a function doesn’t need to return anything, use void as its return type.

#include <stdio.h>

void greet(); // Declaration

int main() {
    greet(); // Just call, no return value
    return 0;
}

void greet() {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
}
  

🎯 Summary

• Use return to send values back from a function.
• Return type must match the value being returned.
• void functions don’t return anything.
• Returned values can be stored in variables or used directly in expressions.

💡 Try It Yourself

Change the return type, return different data, or try chaining function calls. Return values make your functions truly powerful and reusable!