does operator overloading in C++ really expect a return value?

Question

I don't understand the difference between the following snippets. One has a return value and the other doesn't. What really is the difference? When to use what? Looking forward to receiving your answers.

bool Distance::operator < (Distance d2) const 
{
    float bf1 = feet + inches/12;
    float bf2 = d2.feet + d2.inches/12;
    return (bf1 < bf2) ? true : false;
}

operator float() const        //conversion operator
{                          //converts Distance to meters
    float fracfeet = inches/12; //convert the inches
    fracfeet += static_cast<float>(feet); //add the feet
    return fracfeet/MTF; //convert to meters
}

Answer 1

The last one is a conversion operator, so it is implied that it returns a float - you convert your value to this type.

As for operator<, it has return type because you can actually make it whatever you like. For instance, operator<< for C++ standard library streams do I/O instead of logical shifting.