returning a value from try and finally

[nitinram agarwal]

if I have a return value both from try and finally then the value returned from finally is taken.

for ex here is a code snippet

public int returnint () {
try {
return 1;
} finally {
return 2;
}
}

this code will return 2.my question is why java has allowed this and why does not it generate compile error if we want to return some value from the finally block.

[Rahul P Kumar]

I have heard somewhere that jvm merges these return statements behind the scene and finally return is retained, if present. But This is not detailed explanation and you need to look further.

[shukla raghav]

please consider it this way whenever there is an exit from the try block the finally will be executed. I dont think so there is any mearging. it simple as JVM encounters a statement or end brace that says "Get out from my try block", the JVM will always execute the finally block. its like when you tell a person to leave your house, he will prefer packing up his luggage before leaving. its just the same before leaving the try block the control packs the luggage i mean the finally block is executed

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

nitinram agarwal wrote: why java has allowed this and why does not it generate compile error if we want to return some value from the finally block.

Indeed -- many people consider this a defect in the language specification. Some compilers -- Eclipse's Java compiler is one -- will warn you about this.

[Vikash Ananda]

finally is used when you need to execute something that should be executed at all times invariable to what happens in try block. refrain from creating such codes as you illustrated

[nitinram agarwal]

I agree that we should not write such code but am curious to know the reason as I was asked this question in one of the technical discussion that I had and I tried to reason out the same but the interviewer was curious to know some particular response which I am not sure what.
so thought of posting this question.

[Arthur Buliva]

Ernest Friedman-Hill wrote:

nitinram agarwal wrote: why java has allowed this and why does not it generate compile error if we want to return some value from the finally block.

Indeed -- many people consider this a defect in the language specification. Some compilers -- Eclipse's Java compiler is one -- will warn you about this.

NetBeans also warns that

[finally] finally close cannot complete normally

[Campbell Ritchie]

Have you tried that code? Have you read about what happens in the Java Language Specification?