Java equals() selection

[Mobi Wan]

In Java, if I try to do.equals() on a null string, a null pointer error is issued. I'm wondering whether I can perform the following if I'm attempting to compare if a string is equal to a constant string:

MY CONSTANT STRING.equals(aStringVariable)

I'm sure it'll work, but is this simply extremely bad code?
This is a common Java idiom known colloquially as a Yoda condition. Personally, I prefer to handle the null situation directly, but the Yoda method is widely used, and any competent Java programmer should quickly grasp what is going on. How should I proceed?

[Elmsroth]

@Mobi Wan,
Sorry but this is a forum dedicated to MaNGOS technical questions.

Our cores are not coded in Java.

You better have a chance on Stackoverflow.

Thanks.