What are the Best Ways to Return Multiple Values from a Python Function?

Alternatives to Returning Multiple Values from a Python Function

Python offers multiple ways to return multiple values from a function. One common approach is to return a tuple, allowing access to the values by index or unpacking the tuple into individual variables. However, this can become cumbersome for larger return values.

Option: Using a Dictionary

A more organized method is to return a dictionary. Each key can represent an attribute or component of the returned data. This approach allows easy access to specific values by their associated keys.

Option: Using a Class

Another alternative is to define a custom class for the returned values. This provides a more structured and type-safe approach. Each attribute of the class can be assigned a corresponding value. For improved performance, the __slots__ attribute can be used to reserve memory slots for specific attributes.

Option: Using a dataclass (Python 3.7 )

Introduced in Python 3.7, dataclasses offer a simplified way to define structured data classes. By inheriting from dataclasses.dataclass, automatic class creation, special methods, and type annotations are provided.

Option: Using a List

While not particularly advisable, a list can also be used to return multiple values. However, it introduces the possibility of mixed data types and is generally not preferred for fixed-length return values.

Which Method is Best?

The optimal choice depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the application.

• Tuples: Suitable for returning small sets of values that are not named or organized.
• Dictionaries: Useful when return values have distinct attribute names or require more structure.
• Classes: Preferred when return values represent complex objects or there's a need for type safety and flexibility.
• Dataclasses: Ideal for typed and structured data classes, providing a concise and less verbose syntax.

Ultimately, the choice is guided by the project's requirements, coding conventions, and the desire for maintainability and readability.

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