What does the return type of a void method specify?

The return type of a void method specifies that the method does not return any value. In Java, methods are defined with a return type, which indicates the kind of value that the method will produce when it completes its execution. A method declared with the return type void explicitly communicates to the programmer that this method is not intended to provide a result back to the caller.

When you define a method as void, it can still perform actions such as modifying class attributes, printing output to the console, or interacting with other methods, but no value is sent back upon completion. This means that you cannot use a void method in a context where a returned value is expected, such as in an assignment statement or as part of an expression.

By contrast, methods that do have a return type must include a return statement that specifies the value being returned. Understanding this concept helps streamline method design and usage in Java, ensuring clear expectations on whether or not a method will produce a return value.