1. Method
Mark and Lyubo

2. Purpose
to break down larger tasks into smaller ones
to organize code

3. Declaring a method public static void drawBar (int length) {
<return type>
<parameters>
<name>
public static void drawBar (int length) {
System.out.print("*"); }
<access level>
<statements>

4. Access level determines if the method can be called by other classes
is either public or private
Ex: public static void drawBar (int length)

5. Return type Declares if the method will return a value
Ex: double, char, and int
void will not return a value
Ex: public static void drawBar (int length)

6. Name the name of the method
starts with a lowercase and if there is more words the following words will be uppercase
in no case do you add spaces
public static void drawBar (int length)

7. Parameters values are used in a method
parameters are enclosed by brackets
parameters must be separated with commas
Ex: public static void drawBar (int length)

8. Method declaration
the keyword static in the method declaration makes the method able to be called from the class it is in
Ex: public static void sumNum (int num1, int num2) { }
If the return type is not void the return statement must be in the method

9. types of parameters types of parameters: formal and actual
Ex: public void setText (String text)
setText(“bob”);
formal parameter
actual parameter

10. Return Statement
used when return type is other than void is specified in the method declaration
return statement sends a value back to the method call
can’t contain more than 1 value
Ex: public static int areaOf(int size) {
int area;
area = size * size;
return(area); }