How to return from a static initialization block i

Question

I want to return from the static block.

Looks like the return and break statement don't work. Is there any alternative.

I know the bad workaround could be create a flag and check the flag to continue or not.

I understand that the initialisation blocks are not meant for doing computations but just for basic initialisation during class loading.

Answer 1

Delegate the code to a private static method:

static {
    initialize();
}

private static void initialize() {
    foo();
    if (someCondition) {
        return;
    }
    bar();
}

Answer 2

Instead of using return just wrap your conditional code in an if.

Answer 3

You can not return from static block but better to use some other function that will perform your logic and return to the block.

Answer 4

You cannot return from a static initializer block. There is nowhere to return to. But it shouldn't be necessary. You should be able to restructure your code to be "single entry, single exit".

Answer 5

Static initialisers have no business being complicated, so it's probably a bad idea (even if you don't buy SESE).

The minimal way of achieving a return is to use a labelled break.

static {
    init: {
        ...
           break init;
    }
}

They are quite rare, typically appearing in nested for loops. The novelty might tip off the reader that something a bit dodgy is going on.