At which line did you originally include the return statement?

After the line build_parentheses.counter += 1 in the base-case if....

Thanks. I have edited the post

Do you happen to have a code snippet where you did in fact needed to use the returnstatement? This way, we can compare that code with your current snippet.

Sorry. Yes. The following post I made on code-review is a nice comparison. codereview.stackexchange.com/questions/221554/…

The key difference is you are using an else: block here, rendering the returnobsolete.

I see. So because I reach the end of an if statment, does it automatically return?

No, but because all remaining code in the function is in the else, there is no more reachable code detected. If you have more questions about the scope of code blocks, take it to chat :)

Hi, is everything clear for you now?

Oh ok. So to clarify my question "because I reach the end of an if statment, does it automatically return?" if I have an if statement that is in the outer "layer" of a function and that if statement (or else statement for that matter) finishes, then it returns?

after the end of any 'if' statement, it continues with code after all 'else if' and 'else' blocks of that 'if'

so in this example you post, since there is no other code after 'else' has finished, it will exit the function

I see. That makes sense. Thanks :)

Really appreciate your help :)

Glad to be able to help :) Take care