Null pointer exceptions are like free unit tests. The programmer assumed something never signaled an invalid result and was wrong. I don't understand the fuss

Null pointer exceptions are like free unit tests. The programmer assumed something never signaled an invalid result and was wrong. I don't understand the fuss either. Logic problems from improper error handling is way worse than NPE. Edit: Pointers that can be null actually are a sum type but without the fancy pants hype.