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Java Java Objects Creating the MVP Storing Guesses

Posted by Andrea De Nuzzo
Andrea De Nuzzo
Courses Plus Student 639 Points

Do we really need to make applyGuess method return the boolean isHit? Would it work if it was a void method?

The method is this one

public boolean applyGuess(char letter) {
   boolean isHit = answer.indexOf(letter) != -1;
     if (isHit) {
       hits += letter;
     } else {
       misses += letter;
   }    return isHit;
}

I was just wondering, if we just need to add a letter to the Strings hits and misses, why should we use a method that return a boolean? Wouldn't it work exactly the same if we had a void method that doesn't return the boolean isHit? Thanks!!

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,708 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,708 Points

You're right that the assignment is totally unrelated to returning a value. That aspect would work just the same if the function had no return (void).

But for demonstration purposes, returning a value allows you to know whether a hit or miss was scored when you call the method in the REPL.

It could also be potentially useful in a program so you could simultaneously register the result and use the determination in some conditional expression.

Andrea De Nuzzo
Andrea De Nuzzo
Courses Plus Student 639 Points

Thanks for your reply, Steven Parker :)