[Tutor] Returning multiple objects from a function

[Alan Gauld]

On 02/07/12 23:55, Alexander Q. wrote:

> For example, if I have "return(list1, list2, list 3)" within a function
> "mainFunc()" that takes no arguments, how do I use list1, list2, and
> list3 outside of the function

Just assign the result to 3 variables:

L1,L2,L3 = mainFunc()

This is just a special case of tuple unpacking which means you can do:

a,b,c = 1,2,3

to set a=1, b=2, c=3

The function returns a tuple of values, so you unpack them into variables.

Alternatively you can keep them as a tuple:

values = mainFunc()

and use indexing:

print values[0], values[1], values[2]

or iterate over them:

for value in mainFunc():
     print value

Lots of options depending on what you want to do...

HTH,

-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/