function - Difference between returns and printing in python? -

this question has answer here:

• how returning output of function different printing it? 4 answers

in python don't seem understanding return function. why use when print it?

def maximum(x, y):     if x > y:         print(x)     elif x == y:         print('the numbers equal')     else:         print(y)  maximum(2, 3) 

this code gives me 3. using return same exact thing.

def maximum(x, y):     if x > y:         return x     elif x == y:         return 'the numbers equal'     else:         return y  print(maximum(2, 3)) 

so what's difference between two? sorry mega noob question!

the point

return not function. control flow construct (like if else constructs). lets "take data between function calls".

break down

• print: gives value user output string. print(3) give string '3' screen user view. program lose value.

• return: gives value program. callers of function have actual data , data type (bool, int, etc...) return 3 have value 3 put in place of function called.

example time

def ret():     return 3  def pri():     print(3)  4 + ret() # ret() replaced number 3 when function ret returns >>> 7 4 + pri() # pri() prints 3 , implicitly returns none can't added >>> 3 >>> typeerror cannot add int , nonetype