Multiple return values

Context

Go functions can return multiple values. This is commonly used to return a result along with an error. The return values can be named, which serves as documentation and automatically returns those variables.

Example

Return quotient and remainder from division.

Code example

package main

import "fmt"

func divide(a, b int) (int, int) {
    quotient := a / b
    remainder := a % b
    return quotient, remainder
}

// Named return values
func split(sum int) (x, y int) {
    x = sum / 2
    y = sum - x
    return // naked return
}

func main() {
    q, r := divide(10, 3)
    fmt.Printf("10 / 3 = %d remainder %d\n", q, r)

    a, b := split(17)
    fmt.Printf("Split 17: %d and %d\n", a, b)
}

Output

10 / 3 = 3 remainder 1
Split 17: 8 and 9

Useful links

• Go by Example: Multiple Return Values
• Go spec: Return statements