code: @GwtIncompatible("incompatible method")
      public static List<Class<?>> convertClassNamesToClasses(final List<String> classNames) {
          if (classNames == null) {
              return null;
          }
          final List<Class<?>> classes = new ArrayList<>(classNames.size());
          for (final String className : classNames) {
              try {
                  classes.add(Class.forName(className));
              } catch (final Exception ex) {
                  classes.add(null);
              }
          }
          return classes;
      }
docs: <p>Given a {@code List} of class names, this method converts them into classes.</p>
  
  <p>A new {@code List} is returned. If the class name cannot be found, {@code null}
  is stored in the {@code List}. If the class name in the {@code List} is
  {@code null}, {@code null} is stored in the output {@code List}.</p>
  
  @param classNames  the classNames to change
  @return a {@code List} of Class objects corresponding to the class names,
  {@code null} if null input
  @throws ClassCastException if classNames contains a non String entry