Can someone please tell me why this compiles? And ...

# codereview

[Mike]

Can someone please tell me why this compiles? And yes, I know if is an expression. This is a minimal example of the code.

import java.math.BigDecimal

fun test(a: Int): BigDecimal {
    val local: BigDecimal

    if (a == 1) {
        local = "12.0".toBigDecimal()
    } else {
        local = "13.0".toBigDecimal()
    }
    return local
}

test(1)
test(2)