docs: private boolean isDifferent(String key, Object value) {
          // Get the value from the properties Map for the specified key
          Object currentVal = properties.get(key);
          if (currentVal == null) {
              // If the currentVal is null, then test value against null
              return value != null;
          }
          else {
              // For non-null, need to use object.equals method
              return !currentVal.equals(value);
          }
      }