Handling null values in char fields from JDBC

I am running Postgresql 7.1.3 and using the 7.1-1.2 jar jdbc driver.  I noticed that when I used a
ResultSet.getString("charfield")call to fetch null data from the char field I get a null pointer exception error.  My
questionis two fold.. 
1) Is this normal behavior for the jdbc driver?
2) Is there a recommended way of trapping for a null value in a char field (besides just going into the db with psql
andsetting all null values to '')? 

I have looked thru two different Postgresql manuals but have not been able to find anything referring to null value
handlingat the jdbc level.   

If anyone can pt me in the right direction I
would really appreciate it.

Thanks!
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