Java – return statement and exception in try block in java

exception handlingjavatry-catch

public class Test2 {
    public static void main(String args[]) {

        System.out.println(method());
    }

    public static int method() {
        try {
            throw new Exception();
            return 1;
        } catch (Exception e) {
            return 2;
        } finally {
            return 3;
        }
    }
}

in this problem try block has return statement and throws exception also…
its output is COMPILER ERROR….

we know that finally block overrides the return or exception statement in try/catch block…
but this problem has both in try block…
why the output is error ?

Best Answer

Because your return statement is unreachable - the execution flow can never reach that line.

If the throw statement was in an if-clause, then the return would be potentially reachable and the error would be gone. But in this case it doesn't make sense to have return there.

Another important note - avoid returning from the finally clause. Eclipse compiler, for example, shows a warning about a return statement in the finally clause.

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