Gain insights into Java programming by exploring conditional statements, loops, math, logic, inheritance, generics, and arraylists, to become an intermediate Java developer.

Learn Java for free with this interactive course, and get a handle on one of the most popular programming languages in the world.

You'll start with a simple hello world program and proceed to cover common concepts such as Conditional Statements, Loop Statements, Math, and Logic in Java, before moving on to more advanced concepts like Inheritance, Generics, and ArrayLists, along with much more.

By the time you're done, you'll be an intermediate level Java developer, ready to take on your own projects.

Learn Intermediate Java

Methods are how we **communicate** with objects in Java. We *invoke* or *call* a method, i.e.; we are asking the object to carry out a task *through* the method. Hence, a **method** is a mechanism that allows us to *implement functionality* or *attribute behavior* to objects. Methods follow a particular syntax, as shown in the snippet below. 

ClassOne{
  
  visibility ReturnType Methodname(parameter_one, parameter_two){
  
    //method body
    
    return returnVariable;
  }
}

## Understanding syntax

**Visibility**

Visibility is the scope of a Method, i.e., how accessible it is from different places in the programs. There are **four types** within visibility: 

* public: The method can be called *anywhere* in the application.


For now, we will consider only public methods.


**ReturnType**

This defines whether the method **returns** a value or not. If it does, then this is where the **data type** of the returning variable is mentioned in the declaration. If the method *does not return* anything then the type is set to **void**. Otherwise, it can return **primitive** as well as special data types. 

**Methodname**

This is where you define the name for your method. Like a variable identifier, this name **should** be descriptive of the functionality of the method. For instance, the **substring** method for Strings. This method has an explanatory name that identifies what this method does. Imagine if it had a vague name like **partOfString** or **smallString** which could be interpreted to multiple meanings, it would be so confusing!

**Parameters**

The 'Methodname' is followed by two round brackets, `()`. Within these round brackets, the parameters are passed to the method. These parameters are used within the method body, which is enclosed in curly brackets,`{}`. Parameters within the brackets `()`  are separated by commas and can have multiple data types. 

**returnVariable**

The 'returnVariable' is the variable whose value is to be returned outside the method body. This variable must have the *data type* of the returnType signified in the method declaration line.

# Understanding syntax

**Visibility**

Visibility is the scope of a Method, i.e., how accessible it is from different places in the programs. There are **four types** within visibility: 

* public: The method can be called *anywhere* in the application.


For now, we will consider only public methods.


**ReturnType**

This defines whether the method **returns** a value or not. If it does, then this is where the **data type** of the returning variable is mentioned in the declaration. If the method *does not return* anything then the type is set to **void**. Otherwise, it can return **primitive** as well as special data types. 

**Methodname**

This is where you define the name for your method. Like a variable identifier, this name **should** be descriptive of the functionality of the method. For instance, the **substring** method for Strings. This method has an explanatory name that identifies what this method does. Imagine if it had a vague name like **partOfString** or **smallString** which could be interpreted to multiple meanings, it would be so confusing!

**Parameters**

The 'Methodname' is followed by two round brackets, `()`. Within these round brackets, the parameters are passed to the method. These parameters are used within the method body, which is enclosed in curly brackets,`{}`. Parameters within the brackets `()`  are separated by commas and can have multiple data types. 

**returnVariable**

The 'returnVariable' is the variable whose value is to be returned outside the method body. This variable must have the *data type* of the returnType signified in the method declaration line.

In this lesson, the basics of Methods in Java are explained.

Getting Started with Java!

Variables & User Input

Simple Maths & Logic

Strings and String Processing

Conditional Statements

Loops

Methods

Arrays

Classes and Inheritance

Generics

ArrayLists

Java Exam

Methods in Java

Understanding syntax