Java - Does returning a value break a loop?

Question

I'm writing some code that basically follows the following format:

public static boolean isIncluded(E element) {
    Node<E> c = head;
    while (c != null) {
        if (cursor.getElement().equals(element)) {
            return true;
        }
        c = c.getNext();
    }
    return false;
}

The code will search for an element in a list of nodes. However, my question is that if the while loop does find the element where the if-statement says it should return true, will it simply return true and break the loop? Furthermore, if it does then break the loop will it then carry on through the method and still return false, or is the method completed once a value is returned?

Thanks

Joshua Pinter · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-16 02:46:56Z

110

Yes*

Yes, usually (and in your case) it does break out of the loop and returns from the method.

An Exception

One exception is that if there is a finally block inside the loop and surrounding the return statement then the code in the finally block will be executed before the method returns. The finally block might not terminate - for example it could contain another loop or call a method that never returns. In this case you wouldn't ever exit the loop or the method.

while (true)
{
    try
    {
        return;  // This return technically speaking doesn't exit the loop.
    }
    finally
    {
        while (true) {}  // Instead it gets stuck here.
    }
}

edited Jul 16, 2014 at 2:46

Joshua Pinter

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answered May 18, 2012 at 23:48

Mark Byers

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1 Comment

divine Over a year ago

even if there is no return inside try block, your logic will get struck in finally

Keith Randall · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 23:48:11Z

24

Return does break the loop and returns from the entire method immediately. The only code that will be executed on the way out is the body of a finally clause and the release of any synchronized statement.

answered May 18, 2012 at 23:48

Keith Randall

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Comments

Hobbyist · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-31 20:05:20Z

19

I should also add that if you want to break the current iteration of the loop, and instantly start the next one, you can use:

continue;

As it seems nobody has suggested it.

answered Dec 31, 2014 at 20:05

Hobbyist

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1 Comment

Ranjan Gupta Over a year ago

@hobbyist : Please give one example as your answer is not clear to me.

SJuan76 · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 23:48:24Z

10

Yes.

Anyway, for questions as short as this, I think you would be better (and get an earlier answer) just trying it by yourself.

answered May 18, 2012 at 23:48

SJuan76

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3 Comments

Joshua Pinter Over a year ago

@duffymo But once it's on SO, it has two advantages: 1) it is quicker to lookup for others, and 2) it illuminates edge cases and further discourse.

cst1992 Over a year ago

@JoshPinter It is also a good candidate for QA, where you yourself provide the answer.

Al-Mothafar Over a year ago

@cst1992 I was doing that past day, but recently I start to get downvotes for that, as people say "OK and now what the problem if you solved it?" so...

cobie · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-18 23:55:09Z

2

Return whenever called exits a method from wherever it is and returns a value to the caller.

answered May 18, 2012 at 23:55

cobie

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