Python, known for its simplicity and readability, sometimes introduces symbols or syntax that may seem unfamiliar to beginners. One such symbol is “->”, often seen in function definitions. In this article, we’ll delve into what “->” signifies in Python function definitions and how it contributes to the language’s expressiveness.

What is -> mean in Python?

In Python, “->” denotes the return type of a function. While Python is dynamically typed, meaning variable types are inferred at runtime, specifying return types can improve code clarity and enable better static analysis tools to catch errors early. This notation was introduced in Python 3.5 as part of function annotations, allowing developers to annotate parameters and return values with type hints.

Now let us see a few examples better to understand the use of “->” in Python.

Example 1:

In this example, the -> str part indicates that the function greet is expected to return a string.

def greet(name: str) -> str:
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

print(greet("Alice"))

Output:

Hello Alice

Example 2:

In this example, the ‘add()’ function is supposed to return an integer datatype. The function takes two parameters and adds them together and returns the final result.

def add(x: int, y: int) -> int:
    return x + y

result = add(3, 5)
print("Result:", result)

Output:

Result: 8

Conclusion

Understanding “->” in Python function definitions adds clarity and readability to your code by specifying return types. While optional, return type annotations improve code documentation and enable better tooling support for static type checking. By incorporating “->” into your Python functions, you enhance code maintainability and reduce the likelihood of runtime errors. So, embrace this Pythonic notation and elevate your programming prowess!