I have been reading several modules and plugins. I am trying to learn how to use the API correctly.

Now my question is
if you are pulling the message from the paramter why did you include it here. would it not pull the text of whatever was in the field in the plugin parameters? Also wouldnt it get the publish state. Why does it need to be stated?

[code:1] $is_helloworld_plug_enabled = $params->get('hwPlugEnabled', "1"«»);
$helloworld_tab_message = $params->get('hwTabMessage', "Hello Joomlapolitans!"«»);
[/code:1]

also why is this needed at the beginning?

[code:1] $return = null;
[/code:1]