---
title: "What is the difference between yield return and return?"  
description: "What is the difference between yield return and return?"  
author: "ICSM Computer"  
published: 2025-06-22  
updated: 2025-06-22  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34271/what-is-the-difference-between-yield-return-and-return  
category: "c#"  
tags: ["c#"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is the difference between yield return and return?

## Answer:

- `yield return`: Returns elements one by one, creates **state machine** for deferred execution.
- `return`: Ends execution and returns a value or nothing.

```cs
public IEnumerable<int> GetNumbers() {
    yield return 1;
    yield return 2;
    yield return 3;
}
```

Use `yield` when streaming data lazily or building custom iterators.

## Answers

### Answer by ICSM Computer

## Answer:

- `yield return`: Returns elements one by one, creates **state machine** for deferred execution.
- `return`: Ends execution and returns a value or nothing.

```cs
public IEnumerable<int> GetNumbers() {
    yield return 1;
    yield return 2;
    yield return 3;
}
```

Use `yield` when streaming data lazily or building custom iterators.


---

Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34271/what-is-the-difference-between-yield-return-and-return

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