Return Statement in Java

Last Updated: 28 May, 2022

In Java, 'return' is a keyword that is used to return a value after the execution of a method. After executing the return statement, the execution control returns to the code that invoked it.

A method can return a single value, a group of values, an object, or a group of objects. If a method does not return a value, then that method should be declared void.

If a method returns a value, then it must use the return statement within the body of the method. The data type of the return value must match the method’s declared return type.

Syntax of return statement:

return value;

Let's understand the use of return statements in Java programs in different scenarios.

Example 1 : 'return' Statement in Java

public class ReturnKeywordExample { void getTotalMarks() { // Calling addMarks() method, // after execution this method will return an integer value int marks = addMarks(45, 75, 60, 95); System.out.println("Total Marks: " + marks); } // Returning a int type value int addMarks(int marks1, int marks2, int marks3, int marks4) { int totalMarks = marks1 + marks2 + marks3 + marks4; // Returning an integer value return totalMarks; } // Returning a String type value String display() { return "Returning a String value."; } public static void main(String[] args) { ReturnKeywordExample obj = new ReturnKeywordExample(); obj.getTotalMarks(); String str = obj.display(); System.out.println(str); } }

Output

Total Marks: 275
Returning a String value.

Example 2 : Multiple return statements in a method

We can write multiple return statements in a method, but they must be based on conditions. Let's see the example below.

public class ReturnKeywordExample3 { public static void main(String[] args) { ReturnKeywordExample3 obj = new ReturnKeywordExample3(); System.out.println(obj.printWord(10)); System.out.println(obj.printWord(100)); System.out.println(obj.printWord(1000)); } // Multiple return statements in a method String printWord(int num) { if(num == 10) { return "TEN"; } else if(num == 50) { return "FIFTY"; } else if(num == 100) { return "HUNDRED"; } return "Not Matched"; } }

Output

TEN
HUNDRED
Not Matched

Example 3 : Method not returning any value

class Message { // This is not returning any value void printMessage() { System.out.println("printMessage() method called."); } void showMessage() { System.out.println("showMessage() method called."); // This method is not returning any value but can contain return statement return; } } public class ReturnKeywordExample2 { public static void main(String[] args) { Message msgObj = new Message(); msgObj.printMessage(); msgObj.hashCode(); } }

Output

printMessage() method called.

Example 4 :

class Course { private String[] courseArray; public Course(String args[]) { courseArray = args; } // Returning Course class as a return statement public Course listOfCourses() { Course progObj = new Course(courseArray); return progObj; } public void displayCourse() { System.out.println("Course Name: "); for(int i =0; i< courseArray.length; i++) System.out.println(courseArray[i]); } } public class ReturnKeywordExample4 { public static void main(String[] args) { Course obj1 = new Course(new String[] { "JAVA", "Python", "C", "C++" }); Course obj2; // Reference object // listOfCourses method returns a reference of Course class obj2 = obj1.listOfCourses(); obj2.displayCourse(); } }

Output

Course Name:
JAVA
Python
C
C++