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Java - what is java.lang.NullPointerException and how to prevent it?

14 points
Created by:
Root-ssh
174740

NullPoiterException occurs when progremmer try to acces to object type variable that has been assigned with null. It is caused because of programmer mistake. There are few solution how to prevent it:

1. Simple solution

1.1. If null variable value can occur in logic scenario

If some variable can be null then should be checked before usage by if instruction.

// some code...

if(myVariable != null) {
    // do some operation with myVariable...
}

// some code...

1.2. If null variable value sould not occur in logic scenario

If programmer predicted null value can happen but he wanted to tell others it is not his mistake but mistake of the person who used souce code (not read documentation where is information acout not null argument/variable).

// some code...

assert myVariable != null : "Variable can not be null";

// some code...

Notes:

  • assert allows for code execution only if a != null.
  • assertions make source code more clear,
  • read this article to enable assertions in your program.

2. NullPoiterException variable example

2.1. Reproduced excetion example

public class Program {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String a = "text"; // or = null by default

        // some code...

        a = null; // for example: some operation caused null value

        // some code...

        System.out.println(a.length());
    }
}

Output:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NullPointerException
	at Program.main(Program.java:12)

Process finished with exit code 1

2.2. Solution 1 - with if statement

public class Program {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String a = "text"; // or = null by default

        // some code...

        a = null; // for example: some operation caused null value

        // some code...

        if(a != null) {
            System.out.println(a.length());
        } else {
            // other scenario...
        }
    }
}

Output (empty because nothing happened):

 

2.3. Solutuion 2 - with assert keyword

public class Program {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String a = "text"; // or = null by default

        // some code...

        a = null; // for example: some operation caused null value

        // some code...
        
        assert a != null : "Variable can not be null";

        System.out.println(a.length());
    }
}

Output:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.AssertionError: Variable can not be null
	at Program.main(Program.java:12)

Process finished with exit code 1

Note: AssertionError occured because a != null condition retunred false. Programmer who used source code knows he made mistake.

See also

  1. Java - how to enable assertions? 
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