What is null safety in Java?

What is null safety in Java?

Null safety in Java refers to the practices and features that help prevent null pointer exceptions by ensuring that variables cannot be null unless explicitly allowed.

How does Java handle null values?

Java uses references to objects, and if a reference is null, it means it doesn't point to any object. This can lead to null pointer exceptions if not handled properly.

What are some best practices for avoiding null pointer exceptions?

Some best practices include using Optional, initializing variables, and using annotations like @NonNull and @Nullable to indicate nullability.

Can you explain the Optional class?

The Optional class is a container that may or may not contain a non-null value. It helps to avoid null checks and makes the code more readable.