CWE-395: Use of NullPointerException Catch to Detect NULL Pointer Dereference

BaseDraft

Catching NullPointerException should not be used as an alternative to programmatic checks to prevent dereferencing a null pointer.

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Extended Description

Programmers typically catch NullPointerException under three circumstances: The program contains a null pointer dereference. Catching the resulting exception was easier than fixing the underlying problem. The program explicitly throws a NullPointerException to signal an error condition. The code is part of a test harness that supplies unexpected input to the classes under test. Of these three circumstances, only the last is acceptable.

Technical Details

Structure
Simple

Applicable To

Languages
Java
Platforms

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CWE-395: Use of NullPointerException Catch to Detect NULL Pointer Dereference | CWE Lookup | Inventive HQ