Question: Similar to [this question](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/233030/worst-php-practice-found-in-your-experience)...

What are the worst practices you actually found in Java code?

Mine are:

* using instance variables in servlets (it's not just bad practice but bug, actually)
* using Collection implementations like HashMap, and not using the appropriate interfaces
* using seemingly cryptic class names like SmsMaker (SmsFactory) or CommEnvironment (CommunicationContext)

Answer: 
I had to maintain java code, where most of the Exception handling was like:

```
catch( Exception e ) {}

```
The worst Java practice that encompasses almost all others: **Global mutable state.**