VB.NET Function Return

Question

In order to return a value from a VB.NET function one can assign a value to the "Functions Name" or use "return value."

I sometimes see these inter-mixed in the same function. Personally, I prefer the return.

My question is, what is the internal difference, if any, between the two?

Answer 1

The difference is that they DO DIFFERENT THINGS!

'Return value' does 2 things:
1. It sets the function return value at that point 2. It immediately exits the function

No further code in the function executes!

'Functionname = value' does 1 thing: 1. It sets the function return value at that point

Other code in the function continues to execute This enables additional logic to refine or override the function return value

Huge difference folks. Remember it's not all about state, it's also about flow.

Answer 2

Let's take a look... Oddly the "functionName =" generates less IL?

Code:

Public Function Test() As String     Test = "Test" End Function   Public Function Test2() As String     Return "Test" End Function 

IL:

.method public static string Test() cil managed {     .maxstack 1     .locals init (         [0] string Test)     L_0000: nop      L_0001: ldstr "Test"     L_0006: stloc.0      L_0007: ldloc.0      L_0008: ret  }  .method public static string Test2() cil managed {     .maxstack 1     .locals init (         [0] string Test2)     L_0000: nop      L_0001: ldstr "Test"     L_0006: stloc.0      L_0007: br.s L_0009     L_0009: ldloc.0      L_000a: ret  }