The DataBindings.Add method of a control has 3 parameters,

Code:
Control.DataBindings.Add("Text_property_of_control", DataSetName, "TableName.ColumnName");
So TableName.ColumnName, basically the 3rd parameter cannot be null. So, when you dont initialise the variable, that parameter is null by default and hence cannot be accepted by the Add function. So either initialise the variable or set a value before binding it to any data.

When you bind the dataset to the control, column will give some value to that parameter so that the control could display it.

Also, use [New Binding] keyword.
Code:
Control.DataBindings.Add(New Binding("Text_property_of_control", DataSetName, "TableName.ColumnName"));