java - Why doesn't the return of my method work? -

i have assignment java class i'm taking in college. i'm supposed write program gets length , width user , display perimeter of rectangle. then, needs return area. have written source code it, ide, eclipse keeps saying i'm using voided method, therefore, can't return.

here source code:

/** jason delgado  * spc id: 2051577  * program gets length , width of rectangle user, displays perimeter,  * , returns area.  */  package com.delgado;  import javax.swing.joptionpane; //gets joptionpane class import java.text.decimalformat; //gets decimalformat class  public class rectangle {  public static void main(string[] args) {     double length; // holds length     double width; // holds width     string input; // holds input     double area; // holds area     decimalformat formatter = new decimalformat("#0.00"); // holds format      input = joptionpane.showinputdialog("enter length of rectangle: ");     length = double.parsedouble(input);     input = joptionpane.showinputdialog("enter width of rectangle: ");     width = double.parsedouble(input);     area = getarea(length, width);      /** method getarea() displays perimeter of rectangle , returns area      * @perm num1 holds length      * @perm num2 holds width      * @return returns area of rectangle      */      public static double getarea(double num1, double num2){         double perimeter; // holds perimeter         perimeter = (num1 * 2) + (num2 * 2);         joptionpane.showmessagedialog(null, "the perimeter of rectangle is: " + formatter.format(perimeter));          return num1 * num2;      }  } 

}

edit since you've added code, have edited answer:

it looks getarea method inside main. move outside.

public class rectangle {     public static void main(string[] args) {         ....     }      public static double getarea(double num1, double num2) {         ...     } }