Thread: NullPointerException...how?

I bet this will be an easy diagnosis but I can't seem to find why I am getting a NullPointerException. I used to make things like this all the time so it's extra weird. Any help will be appreciated.

import java.util.Scanner;
 
public class Main {
 
private static Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
private static String cmd;
 
	public static void main(String[] args){
		while(true/*!cmd.equals("quit")*/){
			cmd.equals(input.nextLine());
			processCommand();
		}
 
	}
 
	//processes commands. Just testing right here ATM
	public static void processCommand(){
		if(cmd.equals("hi")){
			System.out.println("boo");
		}
	}

Looks like there was an attempt to access a variable that has a null value.
What line did the error message report? What variable(s) are on that line? Which one(s) have a null value?

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NullPointerException
at myname.youllmakefunofmeifyouseethisnamesoIwortethi sinstead.Main.main(Main.java:19)

Line 19 is the cmd.equals(input.nextLine()); So I should set it as something useless then?

Originally Posted by illusionust

Line 19 is the cmd.equals(input.nextLine()); So I should set it as something useless then?

Note that this line does not give cmd a value, but attempts to call a method on the variable cmd

@divcret Please see The problem with spoonfeeding