Return Values

I was told that when returning a value from a function, you can only return one. So why does this code work? And can you explain what happens in the functions? thanks

Their is a structure called Distance that includes distances in feet and inches. the user enters 2 distances (feet,inches) and stores them in 2 type Distance variables. then this function is involked to return the larger of the 2 Distances;

Code:

Distance bigengl(Distance dd1, Distance dd2)
	{
	if(dd1.feet > dd2.feet)       //if feet are different, return
		return dd1;                // the one with the largest feet
	if(dd1.feet > dd2.feet)
		return dd2;
	if(dd1.inches > dd2.inches)   //if inches are different,
		return dd1;                //return one with largest
	else                          //inches, or dd2 if equal
		return dd2;
	}

the return type depends on what kind of function you use..

int main for example return ant int (duh!) 0 for all ok everything else somethin went wrong..

void no return at all

char returns char..
double returns double..
etc..

Code:

Distance bigengl(Distance dd1, Distance dd2)
        {
        if(dd1.feet > dd2.feet)       //if feet are different, return
                return dd1;                // value in dd1
if(dd1.feet > dd2.feet)
                return dd2;               // return value in dd2
        if(dd1.inches > dd2.inches)   //if inches are different,
                return dd1;                //return value of dd1
else                          //inches, or return value of dd2 if equal
                return dd2;
        }

If think you are confused by all the return statments in your function. You can have as many return statments as you want, but I would advise you to have as few as possible (there is a little performence hit if you have many return statements). Only one return statement is executed and therefore only one object (a Distance object in your case) is returned.

And can you explain what happens in the functions?

It returns the largest Distance object

Well I think the line

Code:

if(dd1.feet > dd2.feet)//second if clause

should be

Code:

if(dd1.feet < dd2.feet)

or else it don´t makes any sense.

I don´t know if you have covered references yet but if you have I would advise you to have const refernces as your argument (dd1, dd2). Use this to avoid unneccesary copies of object(s). When object(s) gets rather big you will get a BIG perfomance hit.

#include <Jesus.h>
It will save your life

I like! I like! Very original.

yes, the function is returning only one variable. But it depends on the case which one to return. It will return only the one where the IF operator is true or if no IFs are tru, then it will return the last return;

P.S.: You can return more than one variable from a function using pointers...