What does return mean at the end of a void method?

Question

I know that a void method does not return any value, but I can still write code like

void nothingDohere() {return;}

So, How can "void" work with the "return" statement here?

Answer 1

A return statement without a value can only be used in a void method (or a constructor), and simply performs the "get out of the method now" part of returning. Think of a return-with-value statement has having two purposes:

• Terminating execution of the current method (via finally blocks of course)
• Making a value computed in the method available to the caller

The return statement in a void method simply achieves the first of these; the second makes no sense in a void method.

From section 14.17 of the Java Language Specification:

A return statement with no Expression must be contained in the body of a method that is declared, using the keyword void, not to return any value (§8.4), or in the body of a constructor (§8.8). A compile-time error occurs if a return statement appears within an instance initializer or a static initializer (§8.7). A return statement with no Expression attempts to transfer control to the invoker of the method or constructor that contains it. To be precise, a return statement with no Expression always completes abruptly, the reason being a return with no value.

Answer 2

Your return statement has no argument, so it is not returning anything, hence the returned value is 'void'.