Getting Started with Flutter: Your First Program

Last updated on 28th January 2023

Flutter is a modern mobile application development framework created by Google. It is an open-source platform that allows developers to create high-performance and visually attractive apps for multiple platforms such as Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, and the web.

Flutter is built using Dart programming language. Dart is a modern, object-oriented programming language created by Google that is used for developing mobile and web applications. When creating an app in Flutter, the developer writes the app's code in Dart. Dart allows for a reactive programming model, which means that the app responds immediately to user input and changes in the app's state. This results in a smooth and responsive user experience.

Flutter also has a rich set of customizable widgets that are fast and efficient allowing developers to easily create unique and visually stunning apps that are responsive.

In addition, Flutter has a large and active community of developers who contribute to the platform and create a variety of plugins and packages that can be easily integrated into an app. This makes it easy for developers to add new functionality to their apps without having to start from scratch.

Flutter Installation

To get started with Flutter, you will need to install the Flutter SDK and an IDE on your computer. You can download the SDK from the Flutter website. Select your Operating System and follow the instructions to install the SDK.

The next step is to install an IDE. Popular IDEs for Flutter development include Android Studio, Visual Studio Code, and IntelliJ IDEA.

First Flutter Program

Writing your first program in Flutter is a simple process that involves a few steps:

  1. Create a new Flutter project from the IDE's File menu. Enter a name for your project and select a location to save it.

  2. With your new project set up, you can begin writing your code.

  3. The main file for your project is the main.dart file, which contains the main() function where the app starts. In this file, you can write the code that will run when the app is launched.

  4. Once you have written your code, you can run the app by selecting "Run" or "Debug" from the IDE's menu. This will launch an emulator or simulator on which the app will run.

    A simple example of a Flutter program that displays "Hello World" on the screen would be:

    import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
    
    void main() {
      runApp(MyApp());
    }
    
    class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
      @override
      Widget build(BuildContext context) {
        return MaterialApp(
          home: Scaffold(
            appBar: AppBar(
              title: Text("Hello World"),
            ),
            body: Center(
              child: Text("Hello World"),
            ),
          ),
        );
      }
    }
    

The output of the program above will be a simple mobile app that displays the text "Hello World" on the screen. When you run the app, it will launch an emulator or simulator on which the app will be displayed. The app will have a white background and the text "Hello World" will be centered on the screen. There will also be an app bar at the top of the screen with the title "Hello World".

Overall, Flutter is a powerful and versatile mobile application development framework that offers developers a wide range of benefits. Its use of the Dart programming language, customizable widgets, fast development cycles, and active community make it a popular choice among developers looking to create high-performance and visually attractive apps.


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