How to initialize java.util.date to empty -

i need in initializing java.util.date variable empty. running page , showing nullpointerexception if didn't select date.

the code is:

private java.util.date date2; 

i tried make variable empty, didn't work>

private java.util.date date2;  if (date2==null || date2.equals("")) date2=""; 

however, initialization:

 private java.util.date date2= new java.util.date(0,0,0); 

the above code give me default value don't want it.

instance of java.util.date stores date. how can store nothing in or have empty? can store references instances of java.util.date. if make null means not referring instance of java.util.date.

you have tried date2=""; mean statement want reference instance of string variable suppose store java.util.date. not possible java strongly typed language.

edit

after seeing comment posted answer of lastfreenickname

i having form date textbox should default blank in textbox, while submitting data if user didn't enter anything, should accept

i suggest check if textbox empty. , if empty, store default date in variable or current date or may assign null shown below:

if(textbox.gettext() == null || textbox.gettext().equals(""){     date2 = null; // null;     // date2 = new date(); current date     // date2 = new date(0); default date } 

also can assume since asking user enter date in textbox, using dateformat parse text entered in textbox. if case call dateformat.parse() throws parseexception if format in date written incorrect or empty string. here in catch block put above statements show below:

try{     date2 = dateformat.parse(textbox.gettext()); }catch(parseexception e){     date2 = null; // null;     // date2 = new date(); current date     // date2 = new date(0); default date }