code: public static <T> int compareTo(Comparable<T> object1, T object2) {
  		if (object1 == object2) {
  			return 0;
  		}
  		if (object1 == null) {
  			return Integer.MIN_VALUE;
  		}
  		if (object2 == null) {
  			return Integer.MAX_VALUE;
  		}
  		assert object1 != null && object2 != null;
  		return object1.compareTo(object2);
  	}
docs: Null-safe comparison.
  
  @param <T> - type of the comparable element.
  @param object1 the first object.
  @param object2 the second object.
  @return Negative number if a lower than b.
  Positive number if a greater than b.
  <code>0</code> if a is equal to b.