Return Value

Return value is the value returned by a method or function call.

That value may be typed with a data type. It may also be typed with never, in case the method doesn’t return, or void, when the method returns nothing.

A value is returned with the keyword return. When no such command is used, for example when a method doesn’t have a return command and reach the end of the method’s body, then null is returned.

<?php

function foo() : int {
    return 1;
}

function goo() : never {
    throw new Exception("Error");
}

function hoo() : void {
    echo __METHOD__;
    // No return value
}

// returns null
function bar() { }
?>

Documentation