Python Yield vs Python Return: Meaning and Differences
Introduction
We all know that there are statements or keywords called Yield and return in Python and we all use these two while programming in Python. The Yield keyword is there to help the generator return the object, while the Return keyword is there to help the caller return the data directly. And these two also help to terminate a function and return a value.
The Yield keyword helps to recover the function i.e. it is remembered till the next call and also helps to generate the function to sort the values over time. On the other hand, return terminates the function in one go and is not remembered, i.e. every time a function is called, it starts again from the first step. Return is used when the function is executed i.e. when it doesn't need to be called again. Now, let us discuss Yield and Return in detail and clear all doubts related to Yield vs Return in Python.
What do you mean by Yield in Python?
Yield is a keyword used while programming in Python and it allows a function to remember itself till the next call and get the object at the same point where it was left. This will generate a return of the object in chronological format over time. In other words, yield pause the programming of the function and let you resume the return value from the same point if you need it.
What do you mean by Return in Python?
Return is a keyword in Python and it is used in programming when the entire function is executed and a value is returned. Return closes the function in one go as it is not remembered for the next time. In other words, it terminates the function when it is executed and returns in a single value format.
Difference: Python Yield vs Returns
- Meaning: Yield is used to turn a regular Python function into a generator, but Return is used to terminate execution and returns the result to the caller's statement.
- Function: Yield suspends its execution when it replaces return and does not harm local variables, where Return returns the function's value to its caller.
- Usage: Through the use of Yield, the generator returns an intermediate result to the caller; In contrast, a function is ready to send a value if Return is used.
- Execution: The programming code written after the Yield keyword is further executed, but the code written in the Return statement is not executed again.
- Eligibility: Yield has the ability to execute multiple times, but Return executes only once.
- Begins: The Yield keyword is executed from the last step where it stopped, unlike Return which executes again from the first step.
Conclusion: Python Yield vs Return
In the above discussion, we learned Python Yield vs Return. They both are used to return a value and both are different with each other and both are used differently while programming in Python. That is, Yield is used during the function execution and when the function is paused it helps to resume the function from the same point whereas Return terminates the execution immediately and starts from the first step. I hope this discussion about Yield vs Return in Python was useful to you and gave you some more ideas about them.
