Return an empty array instead of null. Open
return null;
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Returning null
instead of an actual array or collection forces callers of the method to explicitly test for nullity, making them more
complex and less readable.
Moreover, in many cases, null
is used as a synonym for empty.
Noncompliant Code Example
public static List<Result> getResults() { return null; // Noncompliant } public static Result[] getResults() { return null; // Noncompliant } public static void main(String[] args) { Result[] results = getResults(); if (results != null) { // Nullity test required to prevent NPE for (Result result: results) { /* ... */ } } }
Compliant Solution
public static List<Result> getResults() { return Collections.emptyList(); // Compliant } public static Result[] getResults() { return new Result[0]; } public static void main(String[] args) { for (Result result: getResults()) { /* ... */ } }
See
- CERT, MSC19-C. - For functions that return an array, prefer returning an empty array over a null value
- CERT, MET55-J. - Return an empty array or collection instead of a null value for methods that return an array or collection
Define and throw a dedicated exception instead of using a generic one. Open
abstract byte[] serializeImpl(Object data) throws Exception;
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Using such generic exceptions as Error
, RuntimeException
, Throwable
, and Exception
prevents
calling methods from handling true, system-generated exceptions differently than application-generated errors.
Noncompliant Code Example
public void foo(String bar) throws Throwable { // Noncompliant throw new RuntimeException("My Message"); // Noncompliant }
Compliant Solution
public void foo(String bar) { throw new MyOwnRuntimeException("My Message"); }
Exceptions
Generic exceptions in the signatures of overriding methods are ignored, because overriding method has to follow signature of the throw declaration in the superclass. The issue will be raised on superclass declaration of the method (or won't be raised at all if superclass is not part of the analysis).
@Override public void myMethod() throws Exception {...}
Generic exceptions are also ignored in the signatures of methods that make calls to methods that throw generic exceptions.
public void myOtherMethod throws Exception { doTheThing(); // this method throws Exception }
See
- MITRE, CWE-397 - Declaration of Throws for Generic Exception
- CERT, ERR07-J. - Do not throw RuntimeException, Exception, or Throwable
Change the visibility of this constructor to "protected". Open
public BaseSerializer() {
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Abstract classes should not have public constructors. Constructors of abstract classes can only be called in constructors of their subclasses. So
there is no point in making them public. The protected
modifier should be enough.
Noncompliant Code Example
public abstract class AbstractClass1 { public AbstractClass1 () { // Noncompliant, has public modifier // do something here } }
Compliant Solution
public abstract class AbstractClass2 { protected AbstractClass2 () { // do something here } }