This rule is defined by the following Java class: net.sourceforge.pmd.rules.ConstructorCallsOverridableMethod
Example:
public class SeniorClass { public SeniorClass(){ toString(); //may throw NullPointerException if overridden } public String toString(){ return "IAmSeniorClass"; } } public class JuniorClass extends SeniorClass { private String name; public JuniorClass(){ super(); //Automatic call leads to NullPointerException name = "JuniorClass"; } public String toString(){ return name.toUpperCase(); } }