What is the purpose of the return statement in a function?

The return statement in a function is designed to perform two key tasks: it exits the function, effectively terminating its execution, and it allows the function to send a value back to the part of the program that called it. This capability is fundamental to the way functions operate in C++.

When a return statement is executed, it not only indicates that the function is finished processing, but it also specifies what value, if any, should be sent back to the caller. For example, in a function that calculates the square of a number, the return statement would pass the computed square back to wherever the function was invoked, allowing the result to be used in subsequent calculations or displayed.

By carrying out these functions, the return statement plays a critical role in the flow of data and control within a program, enabling a modular approach to programming where functions can be reused and organized efficiently.

In contrast, initializing variables relates to setting initial values, stopping program execution completely goes beyond the intended functionality of a return statement, and creating a new function is not something that a return statement does. Thus, the function and significance of the return statement is vital for effective programming in C++.