Today I stumbled across something similar to the following chunk of c# code.

private static void DoStuff(object o)
{
    // Do Some Work...
    object newObject = CheckObject(o);
    // More Work...
}

private static object CheckObject(object param)
{
    if (!(param == null))
        return param;
    else
        return null;
}

There is something wrong here…

1. 5 points for leaving a comment with a more readable implementation.
2. 5 points bonus points for also telling me what language the original author of this code most feels at home writing.

Interestingly the .net 1.1 c# compiler does not automatically optimize this code, I wonder why?

Disclaimer: Points cannot be exchanged for cash. Points have no material value and are actually worthless.