title: Can't access array in method?
body: <p>I have an array initialized and filled up, but I can not access its values in any other methods than the one it is filled in.  If I try to work with it in other methods I get a nullPointerException.  For example if I say "System.out.println(board[2][2])" inside the init methos it works but in another method throws nullPointerException.   I have been trying for hours to figure it out but have no idea what's wrong? Can anybody shine some light on my problem? It would be much appreciated.  Thanks</p>
  
  <pre><code>public class Program2 extends JPanel implements ActionListener 
  {
      private LifeCell[][] board;   
      private JButton next;          
      private JFrame frame; 
  
      public static void main(String[] args) {new Program2();}
  
      public Program2()
          {
              frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
              frame.setContentPane(this);
              this.init();
              frame.pack();
              frame.setVisible(true);
          }
  
              public void init()
              {
                  LifeCell[][] board = new LifeCell[10][10];
                  this.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(400, 500));
                  this.setLayout(null);
  
                  for (int r = 0; r &lt; 10; r++)
                  {
                      for (int c = 0; c &lt; 10; c++)
                      { 
                          board[r][c] = new LifeCell(board, r, c);
                          this.add(board[r][c]);
                          board[r][c].setBounds(x,y,40,40);
                          this.setVisible(true);
  
  
                          System.out.println(board[2][2]) //works
                      }
                  }
               }
          public void test(){ System.out.println(board[2][2])}//doesn't work
  }
  </code></pre>