Thread: Calculating time taken - does this look right? Error!

/**
* Method works out time taken to perform an algorithm
*
*
*/
public static void timeTaken() {

long startTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
long time = 0;

for(int i = 0; i < 1000; i++) {
time += i;
}

long endTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
System.out.println(endTime - startTime); //prints time taken
}

This is what the method I have written looks like.
The error I get is 'void' type not allowed here, which I researched and learnt that: I am using a method that does not return a value in a place where a value is required such as the right side of an equal sign or a parameter to another method.

The thing is, I don't see exactly where that applies in my code!
Please help me!

Thank you for your time and knowledge.

You method is fine. How are you calling it?

Originally Posted by PhHein

You method is fine. How are you calling it?

I'm calling it from my main method, and I would really like to call it using System.err.println()

At the moment, I can see that System.err.println(timeTaken()) means that I'll have to change something in the timeTaken method - what and how should I alter it?

Thank you so much for your reply!

Your method has to return the time taken. Defining Methods (The Java™ Tutorials > Learning the Java Language > Classes and Objects)

hi

You need to have the method defined as public static long timeTaken() and return a long variable say message. where message = endTime - startTime.
And in the main method you need to call System.err.println(timeTaken()); and your desired result will be possibly achieved.