Check if PHP function returns null or nothing

Question

I have this code

 $return = $ep->$method($params);
 if ($return === null) {
  throw new Exception('Endpoint has no return value');
 }
 return $return;

Is there any way to distinguish between a method that returns null and a method that does not return anything?

Answer 1

It's not possible. When no return value is set the function automatically returns null.

Answer 2

If the function doesn't return anything, then you should not test it's return value. You should know which functions are expected to return something or nothing at all - even if you're not the one who wrote them.

Answer 3

With PHP7’s return type declaration feature:

function a(): void {
    return null; // :(
}

function b(): void {
    // :)
}

function c(): void {
    return; // :)
}