* equals()} contract.
   *
   * <p><b>Note:</b> this method is now unnecessary and should be treated as deprecated; use {@link
   * java.util.Objects#equals} instead.
   */
  @SuppressWarnings("InlineMeSuggester") // would introduce fully qualified references to Objects
  public static boolean equal(@Nullable Object a, @Nullable Object b) {
    return java.util.Objects.equals(a, b);
  }

  /**