> ## `java.lang.NullPointerException` thrown from a thread when `Applet.start()` or `Applet.stop()` is called

> ###
> Symptoms

> > When running an applet in a browser using the Sun JRE, a `NullPointerException` is thrown from a thread when `Applet.start()` or `Applet.stop()` is called. The same applet runs under the Microsoft VM.

> ### Cause

> > In the Microsoft VM, an applet may be visible immediately after `Applet.init()` is called but before `Applet.start()`. Similarly, an applet may still be visible after `Applet.stop()` but before `Applet.destroy()`.

> > The Sun JRE implementation is slightly different in terms of applet visibility related to the lifecycle methods, so any applet that relies on the Microsoft VM event sequences may break.

> ### Resolution

> > Code defensively to ensure the applet is visible before drawing. One way to do this is to test whether the `Graphics` object is null. For example, suppose the applet has the following methods:

> > `private Thread paintThread = null;
> > `
> > `public void start()`
> > `{`
> > `if (paintThread == null)`
> > `{`
> > `paintThread = new Thread(this);`
> > `paintThread.start();`
> > `}`
> > `}`

> > `public void stop()`
> > `{`
> > `if (paintThread != null)`
> > `{`
> > `paintThread.interrupt(); // Assuming the thread has sufficient // time to be interrupted and stop // drawing before destroy() is called.`
> > `paintThread = null;`
> > `}`
> > `}`
> > `public void run()`
> > `{`
> > `while (Thread.currentThread().isInterrupted() == false)`
> > `{`
> > `Graphics g = getGraphics();`
> > `g.drawString("Hello World", 100, 100); // NullPointerException if // applet is not visible -
> > //` `g will be null !`
> > `}`
> > `}`
> > The code for the `run` method should be changed to the following:

> > `public void run()`
> > `{`
> > `while (Thread.currentThread().isInterrupted() == false)`
> > `{`
> > `Graphics g = getGraphics();`

> > `if (g != null) // Code defensively!`
> > `g.drawString("Hello World", 100, 100);`
> > `}`
> > `}`

> ### Related Information

> N/A