--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/java/util/Objects.java	Mon Oct 19 13:43:25 2009 -0700
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/java/util/Objects.java	Mon Oct 19 16:31:48 2009 -0700
@@ -107,4 +107,50 @@
     public static <T> int compare(T a, T b, Comparator<? super T> c) {
         return (a == b) ? 0 :  c.compare(a, b);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Checks that the specified object reference is not {@code null}. This
+     * method is designed primarily for doing parameter validation in methods
+     * and constructors, as demonstrated below:
+     * <blockquote><pre>
+     * public Foo(Bar bar) {
+     *     this.bar = Objects.nonNull(bar);
+     * }
+     * </pre></blockquote>
+     *
+     * @param obj the object reference to check for nullity
+     * @param <T> the type of the reference
+     * @return {@code obj} if not {@code null}
+     * @throws NullPointerException if {@code obj} is {@code null}
+     */
+    public static <T> T nonNull(T obj) {
+        if (obj == null)
+            throw new NullPointerException();
+        return obj;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Checks that the specified object reference is not {@code null} and
+     * throws a customized {@link NullPointerException} if it is. This method
+     * is designed primarily for doing parameter validation in methods and
+     * constructors with multiple parameters, as demonstrated below:
+     * <blockquote><pre>
+     * public Foo(Bar bar, Baz baz) {
+     *     this.bar = Objects.nonNull(bar, "bar must not be null");
+     *     this.baz = Objects.nonNull(baz, "baz must not be null");
+     * }
+     * </pre></blockquote>
+     *
+     * @param obj     the object reference to check for nullity
+     * @param message detail message to be used in the event that a {@code
+     *                NullPointerException} is thrown
+     * @param <T> the type of the reference
+     * @return {@code obj} if not {@code null}
+     * @throws NullPointerException if {@code obj} is {@code null}
+     */
+    public static <T> T nonNull(T obj, String message) {
+        if (obj == null)
+            throw new NullPointerException(message);
+        return obj;
+    }
 }