Java has many powerful features, not least of which are Java Methods that perform several actions and behaviors. In some ways, Java methods are similar to JavaScript functions; they serve the same purpose too. Java methods are used to create robust, reusable code.
This post will cover everything you need to know about Java methods, how to use them and what that means for your code. You will see different examples of Java methods used to perform specific tasks. You will also learn common uses and videos to help drive the points home.
Let’s get this show started.
What is a Method in Java
Java methods are blocks of code written once and can be called anywhere. This approach is always a preferred way to code as it limits the amount of code a developer needs to write. When you write code in a reusable way can be built into a more flexible piece of software that can perform its tasks with minimal code.
Let’s look at the syntax for creating a Java Method.
returnType methodName() {
// method body
}
Using methods and other Java features to break up your code into smaller pieces makes it easier to read and understand. This process also improves the scalability of your software, making it much easier to grow it into a more extensive, powerful program.
Now that you have learned about the theory and purpose behind Java methods and the method syntax let’s look at some examples.
How to Write Methods in Java
Writing methods in Java is simple and can be fun to use with other methods, especially when learning how they work. The above syntax is the simplified form for creating a basic method; check out the full syntax below.
modifier static returnType nameOfMethod (parameter1, parameter2, ...) {
// method body
}
Let’s dissect this syntax to identify each part of the method declaration and its meaning.
- Modifier: It defines access types, whether the method is public, private, and so on.
- Static: If you use the static keyword, it can be accessed without creating objects.
- returnType: Identifies what data type will be returned by the method.
- nameOfMethod: Identifies the method name used to call it later.
The full syntax offers more control and flexibility over the creation of your methods; by adding parameters, you can even accept user input. This would allow you to create a simple calculator app that you could scale by adding to it with regular updates.
Let’s look at a video on how to create a method that you can use towards creating such a calculator app.
Java Methods Examples
Let’s start looking at how to build a simple way of adding numbers and learn how to use it. We will begin with a basic plan for adding some numbers together, which you can see below.
int addNums() {
/*code*/
}
The above method returns an integer and can be called using its name, addNums(), and can be called at any point in your file. However, with adding the static keyword, the method will need to be instantiated by creating an object instance of it. Furthermore, this method thus far does not do anything; it requires a statement to execute.
Let’s take the method above and create a static method that adds numbers together.
static int addNums() {
int x = 5;
int y = x + x;
int sum = y + x;
return sum;
}
With this method set up, you can now call this method later in your project to retrieve the sum of your math problem. This method can be adapted to use user input numbers to create a straightforward addition calculator with a few different methods.
Getting Started With Using Java Methods
Moving forward with Java methods is easy; you can use the code in this post to start with a small project that you can build into a much larger and more robust piece of software. You can then add new methods that support subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Learning how to create and use these methods in conjunction with each other will lead to a better understanding of methods and modular programming practices.
