How to see a null or empty value in JFormattedTextField

Question

Hello, I am having a problem. I'm trying to use a JFormattedTextField, and I keep getting errors.
I know what is causing the error, but I don't know how to fix it.
Here is my code:
String cf = countFTX.getText();
if(cf.equals(" ")) {
  i = Integer.valueOf(countJTX.getText());
}else{ i = Integer.valueOf(countFTX.getText()); }what happens is I get an error when it goes to change it into an int. Because it see's it as being (" ") and not (" ") or even ("") so it doesn't fit into my if statement. And returns it being false, then tries to turn it into an int, and blows up there.
Now how can I fix my if statement to be able to see if nothing was entered, and if so then use the countJTX and not the countFTX?
countJTX is a regular JTextField, and countFTX is a JFormattedTextField.
the JTX is filled automaticaly with an int, and if there needs to be a change, the user puts it into the FTX. (so you understand the logic behind it)
any ideas? or should i just revert to not using the FTX?

Answer 1

you need to know the differenct between NULL and "" (empty) of a string. Also both of these values cann't converted to in integer so you can not call Integer.valueOf(cf). I don't understand why you need to do that. Instead:
    String cf = countFTX.getText();
    if(cf == null || cf.length() == 0)) {
        i = ?; //something you want i to be when cf is null or empty but not call Integer.valueOf(countJTX.getText());
    }else{
        i = Integer.valueOf(cf);
    }Also, you may need to add try/catch exceptions.