NullReferenceException

I am getting this error:
NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
Script_Name.Update () (at Assets/Scripts/Script_Name.cs:37)
here is the part of my code that is causing the problem

Code (CSharp):

1. RaycastHit2D hit = Physics2D.Raycast(position, playermovement.Direction * RayLength);
2.             {
3.                 string collidername = hit.collider.name;
4.                 switch(collidername)
5.                 {
6.                //switch statment stuff in here
7.                 }
8.  

this is the specific line that is causing the error

Code (CSharp):

1. string collidername = hit.collider.name;

 

The code is called whether or not anything is hit, so you have to check first.

Code (csharp):

1. if(hit.collider != null) {
2.     string collidername =hit.collider.name;
3.  
4.     ...
5. }

 

you're mixing up the 3d raycasthit and the 2d raycasthit syntax...

in 3d it's

Code (csharp):

1.  
2. //pseudo
3. if(raycast, out hit)
4. { ... we hit something... }
5.  

in the 2d its

Code (csharp):

1.  
2. //pseudo
3. hit = raycast
4. if(hit)
5. { ... we hit something... }
6.  

 

Ah thanks