Ethers.js: Return Value from Non-View/Pure External Function

[mudgen]

Is it true that the only way for ethers.js to get the return value from a non-view/pure function is to get it from an event emitted from the function?

[ricmoo]

If a function is state-changing, that is the only way for any value to be returned to the client from the blockchain.

If you wish to “simulate” a state-changing method though, you can use the contract.callStatic.methodNameHere to get the result, barring in mind this isn’t actually updating any state.

Does that make sense?

[ricmoo]

I think the OP has been answered, so I'm going to close this now, but please feel free to re-open if not.

Thanks! :)

[zareth-san]

For clarification, here is the relevant link to the documentation:

https://docs.ethers.io/v5/api/contract/contract/#contract-callStatic