John Davidson

Message:

Let's assume I have these two functions:

function foo(int $a): void

{

    if ($a > 5) {

        doThis();

        return;

    }



    doThat();

}



function bar(int $a): void

{

    if ($a > 5) {

        doThis();

    } else {

        doThat();

    }

}

Is there any practical advantage of exiting the function rather than using else statement?

---

My Answer:
The practical value of exiting a function with a return statement sooner depends on the specific use case and requirements of the code. In general, exiting a function with a return statement sooner can improve code readability and maintainability by reducing nested if-else statements and improving code flow.

In the example you provided, if the condition `$a < 0` is a common case that should be handled separately, it might make sense to return early to handle this case first before proceeding with the rest of the function. This can make the code easier to understand and maintain.

However, if the condition `$a < 0` is an exceptional case that rarely occurs, it might be more appropriate to handle it at the end of the function after processing the main logic. In this case, returning early might not provide much practical value.

Ultimately, the decision to exit a function with a return statement sooner should be based on the specific requirements and design of the code. It is important to consider factors such as code readability, maintainability, and performance when making this decision.