VB.NET Function Return

The difference is that they DO DIFFERENT THINGS!

'Return value' does 2 things:
1. It sets the function return value at that point 2. It immediately exits the function

No further code in the function executes!

'Functionname = value' does 1 thing: 1. It sets the function return value at that point

Other code in the function continues to execute This enables additional logic to refine or override the function return value

Huge difference folks. Remember it's not all about state, it's also about flow.

Let's take a look... Oddly the "functionName =" generates less IL?

Code:

Public Function Test() As String
    Test = "Test"
End Function


Public Function Test2() As String
    Return "Test"
End Function

IL:

.method public static string Test() cil managed
{
    .maxstack 1
    .locals init (
        [0] string Test)
    L_0000: nop 
    L_0001: ldstr "Test"
    L_0006: stloc.0 
    L_0007: ldloc.0 
    L_0008: ret 
}

.method public static string Test2() cil managed
{
    .maxstack 1
    .locals init (
        [0] string Test2)
    L_0000: nop 
    L_0001: ldstr "Test"
    L_0006: stloc.0 
    L_0007: br.s L_0009
    L_0009: ldloc.0 
    L_000a: ret 
}