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return expression
The return keyword ends execution of a handler and, in function handlers, returns the value of expression to the handler that called the function.
If return appears in a message handler (as opposed to a function handler), it ends execution of the handler and places the value of the expression into the HyperTalk function the result.
The value of the result as set by a return statement is valid only immediately after the return statement executes; each new statement resets the result to empty.
HyperTalk Definition
Any HyperTalk expression. All expressions evaluate to text, a number, or a constant.
For example:
Note: Formally, HyperCard distinguishes between factors (simple values) and expressions. The difference between factors and expressions matters only if you like to drop parentheses. Most functions take factors as their parameters, which is why length of 3 + 5 returns 6 and length of (3 + 5) returns 1. In short, always use parentheses to group things the way you want them to evaluate, and you won’t have to worry about the difference between factors and expressions.
AppleScript Definition
Any series of words that has a value.