[partkyle]

In the article the author mentions that it's due to the null assignment in the first line of the `coerce` method.

Look for the "Thanks, NULL!" section near the bottom.

[djsumdog]

I wish Java had done more backwards comparability breakage. I wonder if we'd see the same issues if Java eliminated null in exchange for a Option/Maybe style monad and if generic types were saved instead of erased at compile time.

[_old_dude_]

Java 9 is not fully compatible with Java 8. So we will soon see first hand if doing more backward compat breakage, for good they told, will be accepted or not. I predict there will be an internet outrage when Java 9 will be out.

[adrianN]

You can't break backwards compatibility if you want to be a successful language for enterprise software development.