java - Is null check needed before calling instanceof?

Will null instanceof SomeClass return false or throw a NullPointerException?

Answer

No, a null check is not needed before using instanceof.

The expression x instanceof SomeClass is false if x is null.

From the Java Language Specification, section 15.20.2, "Type comparison operator instanceof":

"At run time, the result of the
instanceof operator is true if the
value of the RelationalExpression is
not null and the reference could be
cast to the ReferenceType
without raising a ClassCastException.
Otherwise the result is false."

So if the operand is null, the result is false.