Examples:
Use of return
<?php
function square($num)
{
return $num * $num;
}
echo square(4); // outputs '16'.
?>
Returning an array to get multiple values
A function can not return multiple values, but similar results can be obtained by returning an array.
<?php
function small_numbers()
{
return array (0, 1, 2);
}
list ($zero, $one, $two) = small_numbers();
?>
Returning a reference from a function
To return a reference from a function, use the reference operator & in both the function declaration and when assigning the returned value to a variable:
<?php
function &returns_reference()
{
return $someref;
}
$newref =& returns_reference();
?>
Basic return type declaration
<?php
function sum($a, $b): float {
return $a + $b;
}
// Note that a float will be returned.
var_dump(sum(1, 2));
?>
The above example will output:
float(3)
Strict mode in action
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);
function sum($a, $b): int {
return $a + $b;
}
var_dump(sum(1, 2));
var_dump(sum(1, 2.5));
?>
The above example will output:
int(3)
Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: Return value of sum() must be of the type integer, float returned in - on line 5 in -:5
Stack trace:
#0 -(9): sum(1, 2.5)
#1 {main}
thrown in - on line 5
Returning an object
<?php
class C {}
function getC(): C {
return new C;
}
var_dump(getC());
?>
The above example will output:
object(C)#1 (0) {
}
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