Java: How to check for null pointers efficiently

Question

There are some patterns for checking whether a parameter to a method has been given a null value.

First, the classic one. It is common in self-made code

Answer 1

Aren't you optimizing a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiit too prematurely!?

I would just use the first. It's clear and concise.

I rarely work with Java, but I assume there's a way to have Assert only operate on debug builds, so that would be a no-no.

The third gives me the creeps, and I think I would immediately resort to violence if I ever saw it in code. It's completely unclear what it's doing.

Answer 2

The first method is my preference because it conveys the most intent. There are often shortcuts that can be taken in programming but my view is that shorter code is not always better code.