nsmutablearray not adding objects when called - cocos2d-iphone

Question

I have an NSMutable array that I want to add Sprites to so that I can check them if they've hit the wall. I use this code to do so:
NSString *bulletName = [NSString stringWithFormat:#"tank%d_bullet.png", _type];
bullet = [CCSprite spriteWithSpriteFrameName:bulletName];
bullet.tag = _type;
bullet.position = ccpAdd(self.position, ccpMult(_shootVector, _turret.contentSize.height));
CCMoveBy * move = [CCMoveBy actionWithDuration:duration position:actualVector];
CCCallBlockN * call = [CCCallBlockN actionWithBlock:^(CCNode *node) {
[node removeFromParentAndCleanup:YES];
}];
if (!bulletIsGone) {
[self schedule:#selector(updator:) interval:0.01];
}
else {
[self unschedule:#selector(updator:)];
}
[bullet runAction:[CCSequence actions:move, call, nil]];
[_layer.batchNode addChild:bullet];
[bulletsArray addObject:bullet];
if ([bulletsArray objectAtIndex:0] == nil) {
NSLog(#"HELP");
}
NSLog(#"%#", [bulletsArray objectAtIndex:0]);
}
-(void)updator: (ccTime) dt{
for(CCSprite *bulletz in bulletsArray){
NSLog(#"this is the for loop");
CGRect rect1 = CGRectMake(bulletz.position.x - bulletz.contentSize.width/2, bulletz.position.y - bulletz.contentSize.height/2, 20, 20);
if ([_layer isWallAtRect:rect1]) {
NSLog(#"bulletHitWall");
[_layer.batchNode removeChild:bulletz cleanup:NO];
bulletIsGone = YES;
}
}
}
However, when I build and run, I get the console output of '(null)' and 'HELP.' The method before the 'updator' is called from touchesEnded. Can someone see what I'm doing wrong?
Thank you!

Answer 1

Do you initialise the array? That would seem like the most likely reason
Try this in your viewDidLoad method...
- (void)viewDidLoad
{
[super viewDidLoad];
bulletsArray = [NSMutableArray alloc] init];
}

Answer 2

Since NSMutableArray cannot hold nil objects, the only way the condition
[bulletsArray objectAtIndex:0] == nil
could evaluate to true is that bulletsArray is nil. You need to make sure that the array is properly allocated. A typical place to do it is the designated initializer of your class.

Answer 3

Why do you want to add bullets to another array? You already have a batch node that contains them all which is _layer.children.
Are you sure that the array itself (bulletsArray) is not nil? where is it initialized?
Finally you should consider looping with CCARRAY_FOREACH which is more performant.