In the example I choose (#2) most compilers totally specify the behavior. And the question was (right from the article) "what the return value would be?" In order for a function to return, it must be run. In order for a function to be run, it must be compiled. In order for a function to be compiled, there must be a compiler (or interpreter, I suppose).

You're being pedantic about something silly, but you're also wrong in your pedantry.