Which of the following describes value-returning methods?

Value-returning methods are defined to provide a result back to the part of the program that called them. This is a fundamental aspect of programming, allowing for modularity and code reuse.

The correct answer indicates that value-returning methods must have a specified return type. This return type defines what kind of data the method will send back to its caller, whether it is an integer, a boolean, a string, or another data type. For example, if a method is designed to calculate the square of a number, it should be declared with a return type of int, double, or whatever type the result will be, ensuring clarity and type safety within the code. Essentially, the return type informs the compiler of what data type to expect and helps prevent errors in type mismatches during method invocation.

In contrast, other options describe characteristics that do not apply to value-returning methods. For instance, a method that does not return a value would have a return type of void, clearly differentiating it from value-returning methods. Additionally, value-returning methods are versatile and can operate with a variety of data types, not just integers. They can also be invoked by other methods, demonstrating their role in facilitating interactions and modular design within