When it comes to technology, the search giant is never afraid to innovate… Google has launched a new SDK for mobile devices. Its name is “Flutter.” Flutter is a cross-platform SDK – which means that the apps developed with Flutter will work on both major mobile platforms (iOS and Android).
With Flutter, apps compile on the Flutter’s rendering engine (code written in C++) and framework (coding done in Dart language, just as the flutter apps) versus directly compiling on the OS’ UI frameworks. While you download a flutter app, along with the app, you get a new engine to run the app’s code on and sufficient native code to the app running on Android and iOS. Instead of using the default framework of the platform, it comes with the Flutter app framework along with it.
Well, you might be thinking that it could be quite space-consuming when downloading a Flutter app, the fact is – an empty Flutter app usually consumes 6.7MB of Android storage. This number is somewhat of the storage size you need to keep in your phone memory in addition to the actual app size which you are downloading.
However, Flutter isn’t alone eating up your phone storage space. It provides you with the benefit of an application with the comparatively faster interface. Its design is hitting up to 60FPS, which might not be that astonishing for the iOS phones, but will bring a difference in Android’s interface. It is also coming with the resolution to many Android disintegration issues, as you are shipping a complete platform with the application.
Dart Language and Flutter SDK
Dart is an object-oriented and class defined language using C syntax that transpiles the code discretionally in Javascript.
Dart, supporting abstract classes, static typing, interfaces, and mixins, is a language including a sound type system.
Google, with the help of Dart, developed an SDK – Flutter for native app development for the major platforms.
This SDK is entirely comprised of all the essential frameworks, widgets, and tools, providing developers with an innovative way of developing and deploying mobile applications.
Flutter is an open-source platform which works with Firebase and several other mobile app SDKs.
Cross-platform app development with Flutter
Flutter is getting fame for the cross-platform development, but it does not make it fall out of the platforms; be it Android or iOS.
A Flutter application comes with the inbuilt widgets – for Android – Material Design and iOS – Cupertino changing the complete way of how an app appears on these platforms.
It changes the complete interface such as scrolling, buttons, dialog boxes, switches, spinners, sliders and much more improving the experience of the app user as well.
Further, if you are a fan of the native approach of mobile app development, the cross-platform app development with Flutter will help get the same experience and feel, if you want it to do so.
It also helps develop a strong look across the Android’s disintegrated device ecosystem while shipping the app’s widgets.
Flutter and Mobile App Developers
Apart from its features with the completed apps, it is a sheer joy for the app developers as well to develop a cross-platform app in Flutter SDK.
Here are all the points a mobile app developer will love and find quite helpful during the mobile app development with Flutter.
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The development experience
Well, working on any platform can only get you clung with it if you have a joyful experience with it.
Flutter stands all the way out in providing the best experience, not only with the completed packaged apps but to the app developers as well.
The community and the support system are just stupendous with enthusiasm for helping the newbies with all the elements and aspects of Flutter.
The support community of Google Engineers is highly active on Google Groups and Stack Overflow, even on the various blog posts answering each question in detail explanation.
The communities, maintaining the standard of the search giant, are utterly professional and humble towards supporting the developers who are keen to learn about the platform giving all the thorough and detailed answers.
When it comes to documenting the widgets for application, the process and experience are quite amazing.
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Availability of libraries
Flutter libraries are pretty established, and while it is developed based on Dart, it makes learning the platform playful for the developers.
Further, the availability of the third-party libraries is quite limited, over 95% of features and functionalities a developer would need, are all available in the SDK.
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Customizing UIs
Google has gained the charm by enabling developers with developing the customized UIs adding more flavor to their apps with Flutter.
Developing UIs with Flutter will be bringing the breeze to the mobile app developers as this SDK comprises of lots of widgets that help a developer to add up to the better user experience from their application.
Developing the custom UI for both the platforms writing a single code brings the relative ease and creativity to the developers.
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Cross-platform development and designing
Well, this part is somewhat about the challenges our mobile app developers could face while developing the apps for both the platforms.
Developing for two platforms with a single code will pose several design challenges in front of the nerds.
It would help if you have a good designer accompanying you during the app development with Flutter who is quite efficient to understand the platforms and the UIs.
Further, as named earlier, Flutter has the widgets in the feature list to help you set well in the platforms.
Flutter SDK
While looking at Flutter as a product, its website comprises all the elements necessary for the development to provide to the developers.
The website has a Docs section where it takes you to choose the elements and help with procedures for Getting Started, Samples and Codelabs, Development elements, Testing & Optimization, Deployment, and other resources.
The Docs Page shows you what all is new to Flutter and its website, several ebooks, tutorial and Github references to learn various things, and discussion links about specialized topics on Flutter.
Next comes a Showcase page, where Flutter showcases the clients’ names for which it was used in the development.
There is the Community section as well which will direct you to join the conversation or raise a query about any aspect or feature of Flutter and team will be supporting you with the resolution.
Further, there are social media backlinks as well on the website which will direct you to its social media pages where people share their reviews, their thoughts and various hacks about the SDK.
Wrapping it up
The emergence of the Flutter SDK has brought a revolution in the world of mobile app development.
It has brought a breeze for the developers who love developing applications for multiple platforms and adding interesting widgets to their app.
Google and the community are working towards bringing many updates in the SDK and making it, even more, better and last longer in the app development market.
There are several features still unfolding its usefulness and the joy that it brings to the developers and users.
Native app development with this is an utmost joy and makes you more capable of developing for multiple platforms with a single code base if you want.
About the Author
Manan Ghadawala is the founder of 21Twelve Interactive, a top mobile app development company in India and the United States. He is an idealistic leader, with a lively management style, who thrives on the idea of taking his company to new levels of growth.
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