Java return the Object/modify the object (coding guidelines)

Question

If a method populates/modifies an object, would it be preferable to return the object or to keep the return type as void and the method would modify the Object through its r

Answer 1

I would say the "first" option, to return the object. This has no disadvantages, and leave you "room" to make a change of implementation in the future (for example, returning a "deep copy" instead of the same object) without modifying the signature.

In short, i see it more flexible.