Question

Is there any difference between return($var); and return $var; other then wrapping it in parentheses?

Answer 1

Unless you are returning by reference, they mean the same thing. It is preferable to exclude the parentheses. From the docs:

Note: Note that since return() is a language construct and not a function, the parentheses surrounding its arguments are not required. It is common to leave them out, and you actually should do so as PHP has less work to do in this case.

Note: You should never use parentheses around your return variable when returning by reference, as this will not work. You can only return variables by reference, not the result of a statement. If you use return ($a); then you’re not returning a variable, but the result of the expression ($a) (which is, of course, the value of $a).