Best practice for returning in PHP function/method -

i refactoring extensive codebase overtime. in long run going develop whole system in classes in mean time using opportunity refine php skills , improve of legacy code use across several hundred websites.

i have read conflicting articles on time how best return data custom function, debate falls 2 categories, concerned best technical practice , concerned ease of reading , presentation.

i interesting in opinions (with elaboration) on consider best practice when returning custom php function.

i undecided of following better standard follow using basic theoretical function example;

approach a.

populating return variable , returning @ end of function:

<?php function theoreticalfunction( $var ) {     $return = '';     if( $something > $somethingelse ){        $return = true;     }else{        $return = false;     }     return $return; } ?> 

approach b.

returning @ each endpoint:

<?php function theoreticalfunction( $var ) {     if( $something > $somethingelse ){        return true;     }else{        return false;     } } ?> 

a possible duplicate have been what php best practice using functions return true or false? not limited true or false despite basic example above.

i have looked through psr guidelines didn't see (but may have missed please feel free point me psr reference :) ).

extending original question:

is method used return different depending on expected/desired output type?

does method change depending on use of procedural or object oriented programming methods? question shows, object orientation brings in own eccentricities further extend possible formatting/presentation options best practices returns methods in php

please try clear in explanations, interested in why choose preferred method , what, if anything, made choose on method.

there people arguing single exit points in functions (only 1 return @ end), , others argue fail/return early. it's matter of opinion , readability/comprehensibility on case-by-case basis. there hardly objective technical answer.

the reality it's not can prescribed dogmatically. algorithms better expressed , others work better b.

in specific case neither "best"; code should written as:

return $something > $somethingelse; 

that serve example there's no such thing applicable rule.