ok, though this problem came up dealing with ActionForms, I completely understand that this is a fundamental Java question, nothing more, so I will pose it as that only. Also, I am prepared for taking some thisQuestion(OrYou)DoesntDeserveToBeHere flak:
String s1 = "" + null; System.out.println ("s1: " + s1); if (s1 == null) System.out.println ("s1 is null"); else System.out.println ("s1 is not null"); produces output: s1: null s1 is not null While if I replace the first line by, String s1 = ""; then it produces output: s1: s1 is not null (which I have no problem with). Question: Why does the 1st line of the output of the first case read s1: null ? Amrinder -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For additional commands, e-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>