Why doesn't this method have a return statement? It would work just the same, right, with or without a return statement?

Hi Danella!

Functions and methods have return statements for three reasons primarily:

1) If the function/method is transformative (much like a toaster - you input bread, it returns toast).

For example:

const add = function(num1, num2) {
    return num1 + num2;
}

2) If you wanted to test a condition or the success or failure of the function/method's objective (thus returning true on success or false for failure) allowing for conditional program flow based on the outcome.

For example:

const isGreaterThan = function(num1, num2) {
  if (num1 > num2) {
    return true;
  } else {
    return false;
  }
}

3) A function or method that acts like a factory:

const makeNode = function(type, id, txt) {
    let node = document.createElement(type.toUpperCase());
    node.id = id;
    node.textContent = txt;
    return node;
}

Functions/methods without return statements are effectively merely subroutines that just encapsulate sections of code that need to be repeated multiple times, keeping your code DRY*.

*(Don't Repeat Yourself)

More info:

https://dzone.com/articles/is-your-code-dry-or-wet

So, in a nutshell, functions only need to return a value if doing so serves some purpose (such as creating a value or object to store in a variable), otherwise, it is not required.

Anyway, that's my take on it...!?!

I hope that helps.

Stay safe and happy coding!