RETURN Statement

The RETURN statement immediately completes the execution of a subprogram and returns control to the invoker. Execution resumes with the statement following the subprogram call. In a function, the RETURN statement also sets the function identifier to the return value.

Topics:

• Syntax

• Semantics

• Usage

• Examples

• Related Topics

Syntax

return_statement ::=

See expression ::=.

Semantics

expression

Required when the RETURN statement is in a function, but not allowed when the RETURN statement is in a procedure or anonymous block.

When the RETURN statement runs, the value of expression is assigned to the function identifier; therefore, the value of expression must have a data type that is compatible with the data type in the RETURN clause of the function (see Table 3-10, "Possible Implicit PL/SQL Data Type Conversions"). For information about expressions, see "Expression".

Usage

A subprogram or anonymous block can contain multiple RETURN statements. In an anonymous block, the RETURN statement exits its own block and all enclosing blocks.

In a function, at least one execution path must lead to a RETURN statement. Otherwise, PL/SQL raises an exception at run time.

Examples

• Example 5-44, "Returning a Record from a Function"

• Example 8-2, "Declaring, Defining, and Invoking a Simple PL/SQL Function"

Related Topics

In this chapter:

• "Block"

• "Function"

• "Procedure"

In other chapters:

• "RETURN Statement"