Final answer:
A static code analyzer is the best tool for identifying null pointer exceptions during the development phase, as it analyzes the code without executing it to detect potential issues. Issue tracker, source code repository, and fuzzing utility do not proactively identify such bugs in code.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a development team is testing an in-house-developed application for bugs and encounters null pointer exceptions, one effective tool that can be integrated into an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to routinely identify these types of software bugs is a static code analyzer. Static code analyzers scrutinize code without executing it to detect potential issues, including null pointer dereferences. These tools can detect issues early in the development cycle, making it easier for developers to address problems before they escalate into crashes during testing or deployment.
Choice B, the Static code analyzer, stands out from the other options because it is specifically designed to analyze the code for potential errors. An issue tracker helps manage and track reported software issues but does not identify errors in the code itself. A source code repository is useful for version control and does not perform bug detection. A fuzzing utility is a tool for discovering vulnerabilities by providing random data to the application and observing for crashes or other unexpected behavior, but it is not as direct in addressing null pointer exceptions as static code analyzers.