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From: "bilsch" <king621@comcast.net>
Newsgroups: comp.lang.java.programmer
Subject: can't return value
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:36:41 -0700
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I want to get variable lastName for use in the main method (the whole 
program isn't shown). I want to return it from inside the IF block within 
the FOR loop.  The compiler complains there is no RETURN statement when I 
have it there.  It stops complaining if I put RETURN two brackets lower 
(notice it is commented out there).  The variable lastName isn't visible to 
the RETURN statement that's located two brackets lower. The variable 
lastName is only visible inside the FOR / IF block.

I thought passing variables was a way to get around the visibility problem - 
but I'm stuck anyway.  Does anyone have a suggestion?  TIA  Bill S.

public class Name01{

    public static String lastName(String wholeName){
     for (int i = 0; i <= wholeName.length(); i++){
         if (wholeName.charAt(i)== ' '){
            String lastName = wholeName.substring(i,wholeName.length()-1);
            //System.out.println(lastName);
            return lastName;
         }
     }
     //return lastName;
    }


    public static void main(String[] args){
String  wholeName = "Bill Jones", last;
    last = lastName(wholeName);
    System.out.println("lastname is: " + last);
}
}