gistfile1.py

mark@localhost:~$ java -jar jython-standalone-2.5.4-rc1.jar 
Jython 2.5.4rc1 (2.5:723492dbab02, Feb 8 2013, 10:13:55) 
[Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (Sun Microsystems Inc.)] on java1.6.0_45
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> from java.lang import Float
>>> def parseFloat(floatVal):
...     return Float.parseFloat(floatVal)
... 
>>> parseFloat(None)
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "<stdin>", line 2, in parseFloat
	at sun.misc.FloatingDecimal.readJavaFormatString(FloatingDecimal.java:989)
	at java.lang.Float.parseFloat(Float.java:422)
	at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method)
	at sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:39)
	at sun.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:25)
	at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:597)

java.lang.NullPointerException: java.lang.NullPointerException