Failing to null-test the argument to an ``++equals++`` method could result in a null pointer dereference, leading to runtime failures.


== Noncompliant Code Example

----
public bool Equals (object obj) {  // Noncompliant
  return getValue() == obj.getValue() ;
}
----


== Compliant Solution

----
public bool Equals (object obj) {
  if (obj == null) {
    return false;
  }
  return getValue() == obj.getValue() ;
}
----


== See

* http://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/476.html[MITRE CWE-476] - NULL Pointer Dereference

