This programming language misconception is about the meaning of Python's return-statement and the creation of tuples.

Incorrect and Correct Conception

Convince Yourself

You see that the type of the result is tuple. Thus, a return-statement puts comma-separated elements into a tuple, and returns one value: the tuple.

There is no difference! Whether you write parentheses or not, Python creates a tuple when it encounters commas in that context.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about this misconception, including its possible origins, symptoms students who hold this misconception might exhibit, the related programming language concepts, links to the corresponding parts of the Python language specification, and related misconceptions, check out MultipleValuesReturn in the progmiscon.org misconception inventory.