[prog] quick question on Python

[Robert J. Hansen]

> With the return a....I'm confused on what exactly it does.

A mathematical function is basically an equation, wherein you plug in a
couple of numbers and get a number popped out of it.  Likewise for a
programming function--you pop in inputs, and outputs get returned out of
it using the return statement.

Strictly speaking, a function returns a value; a procedure is just like
a function, except it doesn't return anything.  Formal computer
scientists are all about functions, and tend to look down their nose a
little bit at procedures.  :)