python docstring return example

Docstrings in Python are used to provide documentation for functions, methods, classes, and modules. They are a convenient way to describe the purpose, usage, and expected behavior of your code. In this tutorial, we will focus specifically on the return section of docstrings, which helps document the return value(s) of a function or method.
A docstring is a string literal that occurs as the first statement in a module, function, class, or method definition. It is enclosed in triple quotes (''' or """). The general structure of a docstring includes sections like "Parameters," "Returns," "Raises," etc. For this tutorial, we will concentrate on the "Returns" section.
Here's an example of a simple docstring for a function:
The "Returns" section in a docstring provides information about the value or values that a function or method is expected to return. It typically includes the type and a brief description of the returned value. Let's break down the components of a "Returns" section:
Type: Specifies the type of the return value. This can be any valid Python type or a combination of types (e.g., int, str, list, etc.).
Description: A brief description of the value that the function returns. This helps users understand the purpose and use of the return value.
Let's create a more complex example to demonstrate the use of a Returns section in a docstring:
In this example, the docstring clearly states that the function takes a float parameter representing the radius and returns a float value, which is the calculated area of the circle.
You can easily access the docstring of a function in Python using the help() function or by checking the .__doc__ attribute of the function object:
Both methods will display the docstring, allowing users to understand the function's purpose and the expected return value.
In this tutorial, we explored the "Returns" section of Python docstrings. Properly documenting your code enhances its readability and makes it more accessible to others. By providing clear information about the return values, you contribute to the overall maintainability and understanding of your codebase.
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