What is the difference between cout and return?

cout is an object of class ostream that represents the standard output stream and is used to display stuff to the console window. return is used to return a value from a method/function.

Should I return reference or value?

Most of the time, return by value will be sufficient for your needs. It’s also the most flexible and safest way to return information to the caller. However, return by reference or address can also be useful, particularly when working with dynamically allocated classes or structs.

Is it mandatory that function should return a value?

If a function is defined as having a return type of void , it should not return a value. In C++, a function which is defined as having a return type of void , or is a constructor or destructor, must not return a value. If a function is defined as having a return type other than void , it should return a value.

What is the difference between printing a value and returning a value in C?

print just shows the human user a string representing what is going on inside the computer. The computer cannot make use of that printing. return is how a function gives back a value. This value is often unseen by the human user, but it can be used by the computer in further functions.

What does the return function do in C?

The return statement terminates the execution of a function and returns control to the calling function. Execution resumes in the calling function at the point immediately following the call. A return statement can also return a value to the calling function.

What does cout mean?

In this case, the subject ” cout ” means “the standard character output device”, and the verb ” << ” means “output the object” — in other words, the command ” cout << ” means “send to the standard output stream,” (in this case we assume the default, the console).

Which is generally more efficient a function that returns an object by reference or a function that returns an object by value?

At a low level a parameter pass by reference is implemented using a pointer whereas primitive return values are typically passed literally in registers. So return values are likely to perform better.

Should a function always return a value in C?

Answer: c function only has to return a value if the return type of the function in non void i.e if the return type is int,float,double etc. another importent point to note here is that a non void function can always return ONLY ONE value,a function cannot return multiple values……

Should every function return a value in C?

Yes. If a function contains two return statements successively, the compiler will generate “Unreachable code” warnings.