The C++ return Statement

The return statement allows a function to immediately transfer control back to the calling function (or, in the case of the main function, transfer control back to the operating system). The return statement accepts an expression, which is the value passed back to the calling function. Functions of type void, constructors, and destructors cannot specify expressions in the return statement; functions of all other types must specify an expression in the return statement.

The expression, if specified, is converted to the type specified in the function declaration, as if an initialization were being performed. Conversion from the type of the expression to the return type of the function can cause temporary objects to be created. See Temporary Objects in Chapter 11 for more information about how and when temporaries are created.

When the flow of control exits the block enclosing the function definition, the result is the same as it would be if a return statement with no expression had been executed. This is illegal for functions that are declared as returning a value.

A function can have any number of return statements.