FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.7.0"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0-b147)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 21.0-b17, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Documentation specifies that JTree.getSelectionPaths() returns null if there is no selection. This was always the case until 1.7.0, where an empty array is returned instead.

REGRESSION. Last worked in version 6u26

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Run the supplied Applet

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
OK should appear in the Applet
ACTUAL -
FAIL!! appears in the Applet

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.tree.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class GetSelectionPathsBug extends JApplet {

    public void init() {
        SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
                public void run() {
                    JTree t = new JTree();
                    TreePath[] selPaths = t.getSelectionPaths();
                    JLabel lab = new JLabel(selPaths == null ? "OK" : "FAIL!!");
                    getContentPane().add(lab);
                }});
    }
}

---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Use a subclass with:

@Override
TreePath[] getSelectionPaths() {
    TreePath[] res = super.getSelectionPaths();
    return res != null && res.length == 0 ? null : res;
}

or add explicit test for empty array wherever a null check is currently carried out