%s(): never-returning %s must not implicitly return

Description

An implicit return is a method reaching the end of its body block, and ending its execution without an explicit return statement. In fact, PHP executes an implicit return statement, et returns the value NULL. In the case of a method, whose return type is never, this should not happen. There must be a call to die, exit, or throw, or any other mean to prevent this function to reach its normal ending.

This error is only reported at execution time.

Example

<?php

function myDeath(): never {

    if (rand(0, 1)) {
        die();
    }
}

myDeath();

?>

Literal Examples

  • myDeath(): never-returning function must not implicitly return

Solutions

  • Add a die or exit before the end of the method.

  • Add a throw before the end of the method.

  • Add an infinite loop in the method.

In previous PHP versions, this error message used to be %s(): never-returning function must not implicitly return.