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# Returning values

Values are returned by using the optional return statement. Any type may be returned, including lists and objects.

    function square ($num)
    {
        return $num * $num;
    }
    echo square (4);   // outputs '16'.

You can't return multiple values from a function, but similar results can be obtained by returning a list.

    function small_numbers()
    {
        return array (0, 1, 2);
    }
    list ($zero, $one, $two) = small_numbers();

To return a reference from a function, you have to use the reference operator & in both the function declaration and when assigning the returned value to a variable:

    function &returns_reference()
    {
        return $someref;
    }

    $newref =& returns_reference();

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