About returning values from functions

[Jano]

Hi,

I have a little problem understanding the returning of values from a function, for example:

<?php
function hello($name){
$a = echo "Hello $name";
return $a;
}
?>

I know that would return the value of $a, but i've seen some functions that have a return true or return false, and there is where i get lost. Why use return false or return true ???? 😕 , What would that do ???

Thanks and sorry if my english is not great.

[pyfsapple]

This is usually used in checking and telling if certain action(s) executed successfully or not, e.g.

$no_mail = count($emailAry);
for($i=0; $i<$no_mail; $i++) {
    if(check_email($emailAry[$i])) {
        echo $emailAry[$i]." is correct";
    }
    else {
        echo $emailAry[$i]." is incorrect";
    }
}

function check_mail($email)
{
    ...... // codes to check email format
    if(......)    

        return TRUE; //valid email format

return FALSE; //invalid email format
}

[Jano]

Ok, thanks.