public static int hashCode(final Object obj) {
    return (obj == null ? 0 : obj.hashCode());
  }
A null-safe computation of the specified Object's hash value. If the Object reference is null,
then this method returns 0 and will be consistent with the equalsIgnoreNull equality
comparison.
<p>

@param obj the Object who's hash value will be computed.
@return an integer signifying the hash value of the Object or 0 if the Object reference is
        null.
@see java.lang.Object#hashCode()
geode-core/src/main/java/org/apache/geode/internal/lang/ObjectUtils.java