We know that the main language of Android programming is Java, and iOS developers also use Swift to develop mobile applications. Java has its own complexities and may not be as easy to work with as languages like Python or JavaScript. This has led to other languages being used to develop mobile applications. For example, React is a relatively easy solution for building JavaScript-based mobile applications. Or Flutter, which is a good implementation of the Dart language.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is an open source framework for building mobile applications. This library was introduced by Google in 2017 and does not have a long life compared to React or other frameworks for building mobile-based applications. Flutter is written in the Dart programming language, a multi-purpose, object-oriented language that has not yet become as popular as it should be. By learning Dart language and Flutter framework, you can create applications for Android and iOS. It is interesting to know that Alibaba, one of the largest Chinese companies in the world, has trusted Flutter and built its application with this framework. In this article, we will examine what the Flutter framework is and what its uses are.
It seems that Google wants to connect its different services and the company is not thirsty to conquer different markets. Google is working on a new platform called Fuchsia after Android and its unprecedented success. A new operating system that, unlike Android, is not based on the Linux kernel and uses a new sub-core called Zircon. It also introduced the language of darts and a framework called Flutter, which was supposed to be a bridge for mobile apps to enter Google’s new operating system, Fuchsia.
Review the architecture of the Flutter framework
Dart platform: The core of Flutter is the dart language. But Google has used other languages to expand its service and add new features.
Flutter Engine: Written in C ++ and with the help of Google Skia Graphics Library, this framework supports Low Level rendering. This engine adds core filter libraries to the project. Libraries such as animation, graphics, files, network input and output, and so on.
Foundation Library: The Dart Library, written in Dart, contains a number of classes and functions that allow you to create applications with a filter. For example, communicating with the filter engine using APIs is one of these cases.
Special Design Tools: Flutter uses two sets of widgets. One is Material Design, which is Google’s famous design language, and the other is the Cupertino widget, which simulates Apple’s design.
Advantages of using Flutter framework
In this section, regardless of what Flutter competitors have and without comparing this framework with them, we have examined the advantages of Flutter.
- Good efficiency: Since the filter is a Cross Platform, you can use it to create applications for both Android and iOS. This will save you time and money.
- Dart codes are converted to Native codes without the need for an OEM model. Because it is located inside the filter of this model.
- Quick and easy development: One of the most attractive features of the filter is called Hot Reload. Suppose you are building an application in the Android Studio environment. To test your program, run it in a simulator. Then you feel that a part of the code needs to be changed, apply your change and you will see that the applied changes are visible without having to restart the emulator. This technique helps the programmer a lot in changing the UI, adding new features and debugging the project.
And more
- Learning to work with flutter is easy. It will be very easy to get started if you have already worked with Object Oriented Languages (OOP). Even if you have no knowledge of programming languages, Dart is well documented by Google and is a high-level language. You can work with darts and then enter the world of flutter.
- Compatibility: Since the tools we use (Widgets) are part of our application, not the platform or operating system on which they run, we do not have much dependence on the type of operating system or version in the filter. This means that our project will probably run properly on different versions. Our job of testing the product will be easier.
- Both the Flutter framework and the Dart programming language are open source and also available for free. Powerful documentation also makes them easier to learn. Having diverse communities builds our confidence that many programmers can help us when we have a problem.
What has hindered the development and widespread use of the flutter?
One reason is that Java, Kathleen or Swift programmers who used to code natively for their operating system now have to move to a new language. It means your tongue. Because this technology is relatively new. On the other hand, learning a new and relatively easy language is a new and exciting challenge for most programmers. Because a successful programmer is someone who is always thirsty to learn and try new things.
An example
Suppose you want to build a great game like Clash of Clans, or you decide to design a financial application with a variety of services. You’ve heard that flutter is a good choice and you go for it. But in the middle, you will find that implementing many of the concepts you envisioned on this platform is either impossible or very difficult. In fact, Flutter is not a good choice for building large games or complex applications.
Many programmers believe that Flutter does not yet have the power to build large applications. It is better to use it in simpler projects or to build a prototype of a service. Also, the newness of Flutter is one of the reasons why many programmers hesitate. Why should we abandon the Java language that has been used for decades to develop Android applications and move to a less stable technology?
In defense of Flutter, we must say that being new is not a problem. A new service that is being introduced must be given a chance to show itself. Also, if we take a look at the Internet, we see that very good projects have been designed with this framework and have challenged the theory that Flutter may not be a good option for developing large products.
How popular is Flutter?
Just one month after the release of the first stable version of Flutter, 50,000 stars were registered for this new Google project at GateHub. Also in an online poll conducted by the Flutter research team, 93% of respondents said they were “very satisfied” and “satisfied” with the framework. This number is 1% higher than the 92% recorded in July 2018.
The main market for Android products is the Google play store. And Apple uses its own market called the App Store. We said throughout the article that flutter is not very popular and now we prove it with statistics. To date, 5% of apps published on Google Play and the App Store have been created with a filter. Flutter works for both iOS and Android, and 81% of developers have published their projects on both platforms. But in a strange move, nearly 12% of apps were made for Android only and 7% for iOS only. It seems that this group of programmers was mostly testing the filter.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined what a filter is and what it is used for. Flutter is a free and open source Moblie SDK framework introduced by Google in 2017. Flutter draws on the dart programming language and helps programmers build applications for Android and iOS in a single language (darts). As the future of darts is shrouded in ambiguity, it is unclear what will happen to Flutter in the future. But still, because of its advantages, it can be an ideal choice for building simple and medium mobile applications.