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Java Java Objects Creating the MVP Storing Guesses

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
231,184 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.

Thanks for your reply, Steven Parker :)