What does a return statement do?

The return statement is used in programming functions to send a value back to the caller of that function. When a function is executed, it can perform operations, manipulate data, and ultimately produce a result that is intended to be used elsewhere in the code. The return statement allows that result to be passed back to the code that called the function, enabling further processing or display of that value.

For instance, if you have a function designed to add two numbers together, using a return statement at the end of that function allows you to give back the sum to whoever requested it. This is crucial for modular programming, where functions can be reused and combined to build more complex behavior.

In contrast, the other options describe aspects that aren't appropriate for what the return statement does. Ending program execution, defining output types, and initializing variables pertain to different aspects of programming logic and function definition. The return statement specifically focuses on the idea of returning a computed value to where it was invoked, reinforcing the concept of functions as reusable blocks of code that can communicate output back to the calling environment.