Return statement does not work!

Question

I have this simple method here:

private Node addItem(Node current, Node target) {
    if (current.data.getId() < target.data.getId()) {
        if (current.larger == null) {
            current.larger = target;
            Log.i("BinaryTree", "Added item: " + target.data.getId());
            return target;
        }
        return addItem(current.larger, target);
    } else {
        if (current.smaller == null) {
            current.smaller = target;
            Log.i("BinaryTree", "Added item: " + target.data.getId());
            return target;
        }
        return addItem(current.smaller, target);
    }
}

when i debug it, the code gets to the line 'return target;', and just skips it and goes to the last return statement - 'return addItem(current.smaller, target);'! I have never in my life seen anything like this WTF?!?!

Answer 1

You probably saw your debug jump 'back' one method.

You're calling the addItem recursive; so the final return, where it actually will add it and return back up; will 'seem' to jump to another return, just because the Method call you're returning from originated there.

Answer 2

If it's reaching that return statement then it should definitely be returning from that method. If you can't tell (since it's recursive) try placing a few System.out.println() statements.

For example:

...
Log.i("BinaryTree", "Added item: " + target.data.getId());
System.out.println("Returning: " + target.toString());
return target;
...