Unexpected exception with file: java.lang.NullPointerException

Question

Hi :)
Still a Newbee
Geting the message Unexpected exception with file: java.lang.NullPointerException
Have traced the error down with the use of System.out.println(a sequential number); but having got it down to bReader.close();, I think, I'm not understanding why. I think it has something to do with the line while (text != null){
Don't fully understand yet as a newbee, but one can only learn. Like my other error (I once spent six hours on a pair of {}!!!! we all learn) I've spent two evenings now resarching and trying to solve this, so a bit of help would be very much appreciated.
Error occurs after System.out.println(7);
Code
private void initialiseData()
String text;
int size;
try
File file = new File("needleData.txt");
FileReader fReader = new FileReader(file);
BufferedReader bReader = new BufferedReader(fReader);
text = bReader.readLine(); // Read the first line to get the number of needles stored
size = Integer.parseInt(text);
while (text != null){
String type;
double length;
double thickestDiameter;
int donationYear;
String construction;
boolean isStraight;
boolean hasEye;
boolean wasMachineMade;
boolean isExhibited;
text = bReader.readLine();
type = text;
//System.out.println("type " + type);
text = bReader.readLine();
length = Double.parseDouble(text);
//System.out.println("length " + length);
text = bReader.readLine();
thickestDiameter = Double.parseDouble(text);
//System.out.println("thickestDiameter " + thickestDiameter);
text = bReader.readLine();
donationYear = Integer.parseInt(text);
//System.out.println("donationYear " + donationYear);
text = bReader.readLine();
construction = text;
//System.out.println("construction " + construction);
text = bReader.readLine();
isStraight = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("isStraight " + isStraight);
text = bReader.readLine();
hasEye = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("hasEye " + hasEye);
text = bReader.readLine();
wasMachineMade = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("wasMachineMade " + wasMachineMade);
text = bReader.readLine();
isExhibited = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("isExhibited " + isExhibited);
int i=0;
needles = new Needle [9];
needles[i] = new Needle("type", length, thickestDiameter, donationYear, "construction",isStraight, hasEye, wasMachineMade, isExhibited);
size ++;
i ++;
System.out.println(7);
bReader.close();
System.out.println(8);
fReader.close();
System.out.println(9);
} catch(FileNotFoundException e){
System.out.println("File not found : " + e);
} catch(IOException e){
System.out.println("I/O exception reading file: "+ e);
} catch(Exception e){
System.out.println("Unexpected exception with file: " + e);
Thanks :(

Answer 1

Re-post (Formated) if i understand the formating correctly.
private void initialiseData()
String text;
int size;
try
File file = new File("needleData.txt");
FileReader fReader = new FileReader(file);
BufferedReader bReader = new BufferedReader(fReader);
text = bReader.readLine(); // Read the first line to get the number of needles stored
size = Integer.parseInt(text);
[while (text != null){
String type;
double length;
double thickestDiameter;
int donationYear;
String construction;
boolean isStraight;
boolean hasEye;
boolean wasMachineMade;
boolean isExhibited;
text = bReader.readLine();
type = text;
//System.out.println("type " + type);
text = bReader.readLine();
length = Double.parseDouble(text);
//System.out.println("length " + length);
text = bReader.readLine();
thickestDiameter = Double.parseDouble(text);
//System.out.println("thickestDiameter " + thickestDiameter);
text = bReader.readLine();
donationYear = Integer.parseInt(text);
//System.out.println("donationYear " + donationYear);
text = bReader.readLine();
construction = text;
//System.out.println("construction " + construction);
text = bReader.readLine();
isStraight = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("isStraight " + isStraight);
text = bReader.readLine();
hasEye = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("hasEye " + hasEye);
text = bReader.readLine();
wasMachineMade = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("wasMachineMade " + wasMachineMade);
text = bReader.readLine();
isExhibited = text.equalsIgnoreCase("true")? true: false;
//System.out.println("isExhibited " + isExhibited);
int i=0;
needles = new Needle [9];
needles = new Needle("type", length, thickestDiameter, donationYear, "construction",isStraight, hasEye, wasMachineMade, isExhibited);
size ++;
i ++;
System.out.println(7);
bReader.close();
System.out.println(8);
fReader.close();
System.out.println(9);
} catch(FileNotFoundException e){
System.out.println("File not found : " + e);
} catch(IOException e){
System.out.println("I/O exception reading file: "+ e);
} catch(Exception e){
System.out.println("Unexpected exception with file: " + e);