Java Methods

Methods

A method (sometimes referred to as functions) is a collection of code that you can call from your program. You can pass values to them and they can return a result. They help keep your programs organised, a method can be called multiple times and can be reused in other programs.

Methods also help with security and maintenance, any improvements to a method benefits your program anywhere it is called.

Methods Example

Create a Method

The following simple method calculates the area of a rectangle. It takes two values and returns the result as an integer.

int myarea(int width,int height){
	return (width*height);
}

A method does not have to take or return a value:

void hello(){
	System.out.println("Hi there!");
}

Full Program

With the Java JDK installed, from a command line:

• Save the following as program.java
• Compile with javac program.java
• Run with java Agent

class Area{
	// Take two values and return the area of a rectangle
	public static int myarea(int width,int height){
		return (width*height);
	}
	
	public static void main(String[] args){	
		// The result of the function gets put in our result variable	
		int result=myarea(10,20);
		
		System.out.println("The area is "+result);
	}
}

Created (04/05/2025)