Return List from Function - Python

In Python, functions can return a wide variety of data types and we can return list too. Our task is to return a list from a Python function. We'll do this using different techniques—returning static data, computed values and generator-based lists, through short, clear examples.

We can simply construct the list within function and return it. This method is both concise and readable. Example:

def get_list():
    li = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
    return li

res = get_list()
print(res)

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Exaplanation: The function get_list() creates a list li with the elements [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] and returns it to the caller. When the function is called, the returned list is assigned to the variable res, which is then printed.

Examples of Returning a List from a Function

Example 1: Return a Static List

This function returns a predefined list of fruit names, demonstrating how to return a constant list without computation.

def get_fruits():
    return ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]

f = get_fruits()
print(f)

['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']

Explanation: The list is created inside the function and returned as-is when the function is called.

Example 2: Return a Computed List

This function calculates the square of each number from 0 to n-1 and returns them in a list.

def sq(n):
    r = []
    for i in range(n):
        r.append(i * i)
    return r

print(sq(5))

[0, 1, 4, 9, 16]

Explanation: It iterates from 0 to n-1, computes i*i for each value, and collects the results in the list r.

Example 3: Using List Constructor with a Generator

A more advanced approach involves using a generator expression within the list constructor to return a list.

def generate_list(n):
    return list(i for i in range(n) if i % 2 == 0)

res = generate_list(10)
print(res)

[0, 2, 4, 6, 8]

Explanation:

• The code uses list constructor to create a list of even number from 0 to 9....
• It then return the list and we print them by calling the function.

Related Articles:

• Python Lists
• Python Functions
• Generators in Python