title: validate long variable if null
body: <p>I am having difficultie while validating a long variable if it is null.
  The Code which I am using is :</p>
  
  <pre><code>long late_in= latein_hours.getTime();
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It will show an error that java null pointer exception. So how can I validate if it is null then make it equal to zero.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>