bug# 6668281 is fixed only partly, NPE is still thrown under Vista,
http://bugs.sun.com/view_bug.do?bug_id=6668281

The following code throws NPE
            /* on Vista there are more states for sorted columns */
            if (WindowsLookAndFeel.isOnVista()) {
                SortOrder sortOrder = getColumnSortOrder(header.getTable(), column);

Another problem that "tableHeader _must_ work as a stand-alone component",
and we should fix all related bugs and make sure it works
Posted Date : 2008-11-27 13:00:19.0

N/A

While the main problem was fixed with CR #6788484,
I've found several more places where JTableHeader.getTable()
is used without checking for null, this must be fixed
Posted Date : 2009-03-04 17:48:43.0

In JDK 7 a part of this problem was fixed with 6523638,
this fix is going to be backported to JDK 6
Posted Date : 2009-03-10 16:45:11.0

This should be at a much high priority,  The core bug has existed for over 12 months at a higher priority.  This is affecting a 10,000+ client rollout.

The code below easily reproduces the problem.

public class bug6668281 {

    private static void createGui() {

        try {
            UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
        JTableHeader header = new JTableHeader();
        header.getColumnModel().addColumn(new TableColumn());

        JFrame frame = new JFrame();
        frame.getContentPane().add(header);
        frame.setSize(new Dimension(320,200));
        frame.setVisible(true);
        System.out.println("end...");
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        bug6668281.createGui();
    }
}