Why return in if and no else?

 

Common pattern without else

Many developers prefer an early return instead of else:

function login(user) {
    if (!user) {
        console.log("No user found");
        return;
    }

    console.log("Welcome");
}

Here no else is needed because return exits the function.

Rule: If there is no else, JavaScript simply ignores the if block when the condition is false and continues executing the next line.

why return

return is used to immediately stop a function and optionally send a value back.

Example without return:

function greet() {
    console.log("Hello");
    console.log("Welcome");
}

greet();

Output:

Hello
Welcome

Both lines run.

---

Example with return:

function greet() {
    console.log("Hello");
    return;
    console.log("Welcome");
}

greet();

Output:

Hello

After return, the function ends immediately. Anything below it is not executed.

---

That's why developers often avoid else:

function login(user) {
    if (!user) {
        console.log("No user found");
        return;
    }

    console.log("Welcome");
}

If user is missing:

No user found

The function stops at return.

If user exists:

Welcome

---

return can also send a value back:

function add(a, b) {
    return a + b;
}

let result = add(2, 3);
console.log(result);

Output:

5

Here return a + b means:

"End the function and give back the value 5."

So return has two jobs:

1. Stop the function.
2. Optionally return a value to the caller.