introduce minor changes to overcome CheckStyle errors
refactor to overcome FindBugs scariest warning
refactor to overcome FindBugs scariest warning
refactor to overcome FindBugs scariest warning
correct silly error where return value of trim() wasn't used.
refactor, since yearStart is being accessed before its created.
FindBugs things that maxObservable could be null at line 89, based on the boolean test at 82.
avoid == for String compare
FindBugs doesn't like comparison against NAN, it will always fail.
avoid NPE
remove use of static object, improved thread safety
improved thread safety in accessing static data
remove use of static data
deprecate HiRes timing support
Thread safe access to static data
don't pass in null parameters
more fighting potential NPE
avoid potential NPE
don't use == for string comparison
don't use sdf before it's initialised