Returning values from a function

Use the return statement to return values from functions. The return statement stops the function and replaces it with the value of the return action. The following rules govern the use of the return statement in functions:

• If you specify a return type other than void for a function, you must include a return statement in the function.
• If you specify a return type of void, you should not include a return statement.
• If you don't specify a return type, including a return statement is optional. If you don't include one, an empty string is returned.

For example, the following function returns the square of the parameter x and specifies that the returned value must be a Number:

function sqr(x):Number {
  return x * x;
}

Some functions perform a series of tasks without returning a value. For example, the following function initializes a series of global variables:

function initialize() {
  boat_x = _global.boat._x;
  boat_y = _global.boat._y;
  car_x = _global.car._x;
  car_y = _global.car._y;
}