An try and execute a technique or entry a member on an object that doesn’t exist in reminiscence ends in an error. This generally happens when a variable, meant to carry a reference to an object, has not been initialized or has been explicitly set to a null worth, indicating the absence of an object. Consequently, any operation carried out on this non-existent object will fail, triggering the error situation. For instance, if a program makes an attempt to retrieve the ‘Identify’ property of a ‘Buyer’ object, however the ‘Buyer’ variable is null, this system will halt execution with this error.
This error is essential as a result of it signifies a basic drawback in program logic: this system is trying to function on one thing that doesn’t exist. Stopping this error enhances utility stability and reliability. Traditionally, early programming languages didn’t explicitly deal with null references, resulting in unpredictable program conduct. Fashionable programming languages incorporate options akin to null checks, optionally available sorts, and static evaluation instruments to detect and stop these errors, thereby enhancing software program high quality.