Python 'Return Outside Function' Error

In this Python tutorial, we will explore how to resolve errors, syntaxerror return outside function python, and can't assign to function call in Python. When using a function in Python, an error returned from outside the function occurs.

When it comes to programming, functions are a really helpful tool. They enable us to package a code block and give it a name neatly. The described task can then be repeated as much as we wish by calling that block from other locations in the code.

Additionally, functions allow us to return a computation's outcome to the Python program's main body. It will help if we use caution when doing this, though, as a mistake could result.

The Return Statement

A function's execution can be stopped with the return command, which also passes a value returned to the place from where it was called. For instance:

Code

We create the function return_variable(), which gives the variable the value 1. The value is then returned, and it is given back to the primary Python program for additional processing.

If we execute this code in the Python interpreter, calling the function will show the return statement's outcome right away:

Code

Output:

1

The function call executes the code contained in the function block. The function then returns the interpreter the outcome of a.

Return Outside Function Python SyntaxError

Python will produce a SyntaxError if the return statement is not used correctly, warning us of the problem. The syntax error may occasionally state "return" outside of the function. To put it simply, we attempted to declare a return statement beyond the bounds of a function block.

The function definition and return statement go hand in hand. We'll look at some incorrect usage of the return statement in the following sections, along with solutions.

Return Outside Function Python SyntaxError Due to Indentation

It's common for incorrect indentation to cause a return outside function Python SyntaxError. Python uses indentation to indicate that several statements and operations are part of the same block or scope. Python cannot identify the function a return statement belongs to if it is indented incorrectly.

Let's look at an example:

Code

Output:

File "", line 3
  return c
    ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

We are attempting to build a function that will sum up the two variables, a and b. We wish to return this value after setting the value of c equal to the total of the other values.

However, Python raises a syntax error once we enter return c. Take note of the caret sign, which indicates where the problem lies. The translator doesn't specifically explain what is problematic with the return statement, but there is something wrong with it.

We will see a little more information if we put the function in a file and run it from the terminal:

Python makes it clear that a return statement has been declared outside of a function.

Let's examine the function we specified in more detail:

A red line indicates the indentation level where the function definition begins. In the following lines, we should indent everything by four spaces that we wish to be defined as a component of this function. Python includes the first line, c = a + b, in the function block since it is indented correctly by four spaces.

However, there is no indentation at all for the return statement. It ranks on par with the def keyword. Python excludes it from the function block since it is not indented. However, since this one doesn't match the indentation level of the function scope, Python raises the error. All return statements must be contained within a function block.

The return statement should be indented with the required amount of spaces to solve this problem.

The return statement no longer crosses the red line at this time. It has been shifted by four places to be a part of the function block. We get the right outcome when we run this code in the interpreter or from a file:

Code

Output:

The returned value of the function:- 9

Python SyntaxError: Return Value Outside Function Due to Looping

The block is another location where this issue could occur within a loop. Loops allow programmers to repeatedly run the same code block without manually writing the same instructions.

A loop's definition may resemble a function's definition in appearance. As a result, some developers can mistakenly think that the two have the same syntax. Here is an example of a while loop that attempts to return a result:

Code

Output:

File "", line 8
return c
^
SyntaxError: 'return' outside function

This code snippet establishes a while loop and begins a counter at 0. The loop will display the current value of the counter as long as the value is less than 10. The loop should end and return the value of the counter value to the main program when the counter equals 7, though.

We can easily see that the Python interpreter also raises a Python syntax error showing the message' return outside function' in this case. The interpreter identifies the error's position on line 4, our while loop body's fourth line, where we have written "return c."

Since we may only use return keywords inside function declarations, this results in an error. A solitary loop cannot produce a value. There are two options for dealing with this kind of issue. An alternative is to use a break statement in place of a return, which will end the loop at the desired condition:

Code

Output:

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Now, the break is used in place of return c on the fourth line of our loop. As we can see, the loop completes each iteration while displaying the value of c and increasing it by one. The loop is broken at the number 8. Because we change the value after each cycle when the looping ends, the value of c is still stored, and we may display it to confirm that it equals eight by doing so.

There is a technique to combine loops and a return statement, though. Simply enclosing the loop inside a function declaration is all that is required. We can then maintain the return c without any syntactic issues.

Enclosing the while loop inside a function:

Code

Output:

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Although the while loop of the function still contains a return statement, Python correctly connects it with the count function declaration because the full loop body is contained in count(). The function will work as expected if we execute this code.

We will see what the return statement is doing in the code above:

Code

Output:

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The result:- 7