# return

#### Availability

Flash Player 5.

#### Usage

    return[expression]
    return

#### Parameters

`expression` A string, number, array, or object to evaluate and return as a value of the function. This parameter is optional.

#### Returns

The evaluated `expression` parameter, if provided.

#### Description

Action; specifies the value returned by a function. The `return` action evaluates `expression` and returns the result as a value of the function in which it executes. The `return` action causes the function to stop running and replaces the function with the returned value. If the `return` statement is used alone, it returns `null.`

#### Example

The following example uses the `return` action inside the body of the `sum` function to return the added value of the three parameters. The next line of code calls the `sum` function and assigns the returned value to the variable `newValue`:

    function sum(a, b, c){
    	return a + b + c;
    }
    newValue = sum(4, 32, 78);
    trace(newValue);
    // sends 114 to the Output window

#### See also

`function`