Is there a way to have a constructor return an object that == null in Java?

Issue

I have a feeling the answer is "no" but thought I'd ask just in case...

pseudo code:

Foo foo = new Foo();

if(foo != null){
    foo.useMe();
}else{
   System.out.println("foo failed to initialize");
}

What would I have to do in Foo to make this a reality?

Solution

Typically you would just have it throw an exception for this situation. You can easily write your own exception or just use something like throw new Exception("foo failed to initialize"); and capture that.

Writing your own Exception: http://www.javaplex.com/blog/java-creating-custom-exceptions/

Answered By - CamelSlack