What is the difference between Return and Exit?

Question

Is there any difference between Exit and Return?

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Karl~

Answer 1

Is there any difference between Exit and Return?

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Karl~

Hello Karl Fetterhoff

the return statement in a code statement returns a value ends a variable inside a function, see example below

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2e34641s.aspx

 

the exit statement when paired instead ends ona sub ExitSub example, a function ExitFunction or exit from a loop iteration, and more, see the following link

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t2at9t47.aspx

 

Hello

 

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Carmelo La Monica  http://community.visual-basic.it/carmelolamonica/

Answer 2

Return is for functions and returns what ever the function was supposed to return like

Function GetName() As String
  Return "Sam"
End Function

Exit bails out with out returning any vaule and used in Subs, Loops and what not like

  Sub DoSomething(ByVal WithWhat As String)
    If String.IsNullOrEmpty(WithWhat) Then
      'bails out of sub
      Exit Sub
    End If

    Select Case WithWhat
      Case "Car"
        For Each Model In Cars
          If Model.Name = "Jalopie" Then
            'bails out of for each loop
            Exit For
          End If
        Next
      Case "Bike"
        'would bail out of the select statement
        Exit Select
      Case "Cart"

    End Select
  End Sub

Answer 3

Return sets the object value of the Method before leaping to the end of a Method scope.  It only affects Methods.

Exit leaps to the end of the current scope immediately; you can Exit Do, Exit For, Exit Sub, etc etc.  This does NOT set the object value of the Method.

If you Return from inside a Do or For, the whole Method is done and the Method's value will be whatever follows the Return keyword.

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It never hurts to try. In a worst case scenario, you'll learn from it.

Answer 4

"Exit Sub" and "Return" are identical when used in 'sub' methods.

"Exit Function" is identical to "Return <some value>", except that the value returned is either the last value assigned to the function name or the function type default value if no value was assigned to the function name.  The "Exit Function" form is outdated and confusing to people without a background in VB.

 

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Convert between VB, C#, C++, & Java (http://www.tangiblesoftwaresolutions.com)

Answer 5

Thanks Andrew for clearing that up for me.  I figured there was a subtle difference.  Your explanation is most helpful.  I was never really sure about the consequences of executing a Return while inside a Loop.  Nice to know I'm not the only one sweating the details.  :)

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Karl~