What's the meaning of "java.lang.NullPointerException"

10_66

For several months now I've been unable to complete online purchases from Boots.com and have to ring them to complete the purchase (which is not convenient). I get as far as entering my credit card details, click submit order and then get the following error message; "java.lang.NullPointerException".

I've tried using different web browsers, cleared cookies etc, but nothing helps. I do not have any issues when placing orders with anyone else online.

I've asked Boots customer service to investigate the error, but they say they don't have an IT department (could be one reason for the issue!), and so the only work around is to ring up, and of course, they're not always there when I want to place an order. My local Boots is only a small branch and so has a very limited range, so I rely on ordering online.

Can anyone throw any light onto what the error message means, please?

Spelunthus

This is a very general error message. It means that the programming underlying a webpage can't find the correct value of "something". It's probably something wrong at Boots end. But if lots of people had the problem, they would presumably fix it.

So perhaps, it's something specfic to your PC/Windows/Browser setup. You've already changed browsers, and cleared cache/cookies etc. A full Windows re-install may be next, but I would suggest the problem does not jusitfy that effort and risk.

Of course, Boots have an IT dept. They're just fobbing you off. It may well be that their commerce website is outsourced to another company. Raise an online problem report with as much detail as you can.

JJ_Egan

From a search engine .

NullPointerExceptions are exceptions that occur when you try to use a reference that points to no location in memory (null) as though it were referencing an object. Calling a method on a null reference or trying to access a field of a null reference will trigger a NullPointerException. These are the most common, but other ways are listed on the NullPointerException javadoc page.

I searched as i occasionally get that error .
Somebody with an IT brain will be along to explain i hope .
I see they have .

onomatopoeia99

Java doesn't have pointers in the traditional sense that 'C' does, it uses "references" which are in some ways analagous to pointers but different in crucial respects (primarily that they aren't actual pointers to memory addresses). The wording of the exception is consequently unhelpful - such information as I can find suggests that it does mean an uninitialized object reference.

So I suspect the error means an uninitialized variable somewhere in the code on the Boots site and it is not user solvable, though using a different browser etc may send the code down a different route and avoid the problem. Also ensuring you have the latest version of the java runtime installed may help (many people just ignore the reminder when a new version comes out, or set it not to remind them)

WobblyDog

It might help if you post a screenshot of the error message, with any personal information obscured.

As a long shot, is there anything unusual about the information you have supplied to Boots? These are the sort of things that cause the software I write to generate errors:
- You live in Westward Ho!
- You were born on the 29th February
- Your surname is only one letter long or contains "foreign" characters.
- You are trying to order a product that is listed on the website as weighing zero kilos

10_66

WobblyDog wrote: »

It might help if you post a screenshot of the error message, with any personal information obscured.

As a long shot, is there anything unusual about the information you have supplied to Boots? These are the sort of things that cause the software I write to generate errors:
- You live in Westward Ho!
- You were born on the 29th February
- Your surname is only one letter long or contains "foreign" characters.
- You are trying to order a product that is listed on the website as weighing zero kilos

The only details the message gave was "java.lang.NullPointerException".

There was nothing unusual about the information supplied to Boots, and the product didn't list any weight. It's very strange as I've never experienced this with any other company, and I never used to experience this with Boots until a few months' ago. Customer Service suggested that I checkout as a guest rather than logging into my account. I wouldn't have thought that would make any difference, but I will try it next time.