<!DOCTYPE qhelp PUBLIC

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"qhelp.dtd">

<qhelp>

<overview>

<p>When a function contains both explicit returns (<code>return value</code>) and implicit returns

(where code falls off the end of a function), this often indicates that a return

statement has been forgotten. It is best to return an explicit return value even when returning

<code>None</code> because this makes it easier for other developers to read your code.

</p>

</overview>

<recommendation>

<p>Add an explicit return at the end of the function.</p>

</recommendation>

<example>

<p>In the <code>check_state1</code> function, the developer probably did intend to use an implicit

return value of <code>None</code> as this equates to <code>False</code>. However, the function in

<code>check_state2</code> is easier to read.</p>

<sample src="ConsistentReturns.py" />

</example>

<references>

<li>Python Language Reference: <a href="http://docs.python.org/3/reference/compound_stmts.html#function">Function definitions</a>.

</li>

</references>

</qhelp>