The instanceof Keyword

http://www.java2s.com/Tutorial/Java/0060__Operators/TheinstanceofKeyword.htm

The instanceof keyword can be used to test if an object is of a specified type.

public class MainClass {
  public static void main(String[] a) {
    String s = "Hello";
    if (s instanceof java.lang.String) {
      System.out.println("is a String");
    }
  }
}

Output: is a String.

However, applying instanceof on a null reference variable returns false. 

public class MainClass {
  public static void main(String[] a) {
    String s = null;
    if (s instanceof java.lang.String) {
      System.out.println("true");
    } else {
      System.out.println("false");
    }
  }
}

output: false

class Parent {
  public Parent() {
  }
}

class Child extends Parent {
  public Child() {
    super();
  }
}

public class MainClass {
  public static void main(String[] a) {
    Parent p = new Child();
    if (p instanceof Parent) {
      System.out.println("true");
    }
  }
}

output: true