ReturnCall

This programming language misconception is about the syntax of the return-statement.

Incorrect and Correct Conception

Convince Yourself

Run this code:

Do Now!

Explain what happened in this execution.

Remove the parentheses around the expression in the return-statement. Make sure that there is a space between return and 5. Then run the code again.

Do Now!

Explain the difference in the execution.

You see that there is no difference in the result. The parentheses are optional.

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 ReturnCall in the progmiscon.org misconception inventory.

This activity has been created by LuCE Research Lab and is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

ReturnCall

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