Multiple return statements in a PHP function

Question

I have the following PHP function

function newUser($username, $password) {
     $checkUsernameAvailablity = check($username);
     if (!$checkUsernameAvailablity)
         {
           return -1;
         } 

         $checkPasswordComplexity = checkpass($password);
         if (!$checkPasswordComplexity)
         {
           return -2
         }

}

I would like to know if the username is taken and the password is not complex enough, will PHP stop the function after it returns -1 or will it continue and return -2 also.

Thanks in advance, RayQuang

The question is will PHP stop the function after it finished the first return statement or will it continue? — Rayhaan Jaufeerally
– Rayhaan Jaufeerally, Commented Nov 17, 2010 at 7:35
@RayQuang - If called from within a function, the return() statement immediately ends execution of the current function, and returns its argument as the value of the function call. return() will also end the execution of an eval() statement or script file. , more - php.net/manual/en/function.return.php — ajreal
– ajreal, Commented Nov 17, 2010 at 7:37
The code also contains an error... if (!$checkpass) will never evaluate as true since it's an undefined variable ... you should evaluate $checkPasswordComplexity — ChrisR
– ChrisR, Commented Nov 17, 2010 at 7:39
Oh sorry about the mistakes, This is not the actual code I just made it up to illustrate the point. — Rayhaan Jaufeerally
– Rayhaan Jaufeerally, Commented Nov 17, 2010 at 7:41

Reese Moore · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-17 07:36:25Z

6

When execution reaches a return statement, the function will stop and return that value without processing any more of the function.

answered Nov 17, 2010 at 7:36

Reese Moore

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Alex · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-17 07:35:42Z

3

return statement returns the value and terminates the execution of the function. If the return is hit, no further code is executed in that body.

By the way, not all code paths have return values.

answered Nov 17, 2010 at 7:35

Alex

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2 Comments

Reese Moore Over a year ago

Be careful there: Unless the script exists, all code paths have return values, just that those values can be null. A blank return returns NULL and there is an implicit return at the end of a function that doesn't otherwise have a return call.

Alex Over a year ago

NULL is arguable a value. It means 'no value'. It's just that the result is far more obvious when you actually return something. You then know what to expect. In PHP it may not be a big deal, but I'm used to having implicit return values. In some other, "orthodox" languages, that just wouldn't compile.

Oliver M Grech · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-17 07:34:50Z

2

the design of your function is wrong.

I would return different values when the function ends accordingly.

For multiple returns I would use switch or a properly designed IF statements.

Or better return an associative array.

answered Nov 17, 2010 at 7:34

Oliver M Grech

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