Return Values

Return Values

In the previous page, we used the void keyword in all examples (like static void myMethod(int x)), which indicates that the method should not return a value.

If you want the method to return a value, you can use a primitive data type (such as int, char, etc.) instead of void, and use the return keyword inside the method:

Example

public class Main {
  static int myMethod(int x) {
    return 5 + x;
  }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(myMethod(3));
  }
}
// Outputs 8 (5 + 3)

This example returns the sum of a method's two parameters:

Example

public class Main {
  static int myMethod(int x, int y) {
    return x + y;
  }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(myMethod(5, 3));
  }
}
// Outputs 8 (5 + 3)

You can also store the result in a variable (recommended, as it is easier to read and maintain):

Example

public class Main {
  static int myMethod(int x, int y) {
    return x + y;
  }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int z = myMethod(5, 3);
    System.out.println(z);
  }
}
// Outputs 8 (5 + 3)

Practical Example

Here is a simple and fun "game example" using a method that returns a value, to show the double of the numbers 1 through 5 (using a for loop):

Example

public class Main {
  // Method that doubles the number
  static int doubleGame(int x) {
    return x * 2;
  }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
      System.out.println("Double of " + i + " is " + doubleGame(i));
    }
  }
}