code: private static void checkPreconditions(final String dateFormat, final Locale locale) {
  		if( dateFormat == null ) {
  			throw new NullPointerException("dateFormat should not be null");
  		} else if( locale == null ) {
  			throw new NullPointerException("locale should not be null");
  		}
  	}
docs: Checks the preconditions for creating a new ParseDateTimeAbstract processor with date format and locale.
  
  @param dateFormat
  the date format to use
  @param locale
  the Locale used to parse the date
  @throws NullPointerException
  if dateFormat or locale is null