A Complete Guide on Flutter App Development

Cross-platform development has become popular in this continuously evolving app development market. After cross-platform development came into the limelight, several tools have been introduced to make development easier. In 2022, cross-platform development will be the hottest topic among the top cross-platform mobile app development companies worldwide.

With Flutter, you will develop native applications for Android and iOS platforms from a single code. It also lets the flutter app developers develop scalable and robust mobile apps quickly. With Flutter app development, you get the best application in less time as it reduces the developer’s efforts and time while developing a mobile app.

What Is Flutter?

Flutter has been known since its establishment by Google as an open-source technology for developing native Android and iOS applications. Since then, flutter app development has been constant with current tools, widgets, and a comprehensive framework.

Flutter helps you develop an application with Flutter SDK that allows you to create and deploy visually intuitive mobile applications. The comfort of development in a short time will offer the business more profit and app popularity. With the help of technology upgrades, Flutter is a prominent framework to choose from, followed by Stack Overflow and GitHub trends.

From successful applications in Google App Store, over 50K+ Flutter applications are downloaded, such as eBay, Alibaba, and more from Google Store. Even Google uses the Flutter toolkit for the Google Home Hub UI and its diverse Google Assistant modules. Many giant organizations utilize Flutter to complete their web and mobile applications user-friendly.

Flutter Quick Facts

According to Statistics, Flutter is the most known cross-platform mobile framework used by developers. In total, approximately one-third of mobile developers use cross-platform technologies and the rest of mobile developers operate with native tools. 

Let's discuss a few important Flutter features:

• Flutter is backed by an array of multiple widgets and UI elements.
• It is free of cost, and you can customize features with Flutter.
• Flutter is the 2nd most popular cross-platform technology used by developers across the globe.
• Flutter is designed with user-friendly UI, easy-to-learn, fast, and object-oriented programming language known as Dart.
• It uses a C++ rendering engine.
• Flutter architecture is established on reactive programming and has grown to compete with React Native.

Key Characteristics of Flutter Application Development

Business apps' platform stability and apps’ performance are of great value for any business. Besides, flutters' real-time support and timely updates play a critical role in customer retention and satisfaction.

You can hire Flutter app developers to power and develop a robust business solution with the following features:

High Performing

Applications developed with Flutter are directly compiled into machine code that stops all the errors with the interpretation code. It makes it a high-performing app and more competitive among cross-platform technologies.

Resource Saving

For customized app development, a high-end compilation needs to be incorporated in rendering engines, and for the same, Flutter is best to present resource consumption. So, a business needs a Flutter app development company that simply compiles resource-saving by adjusting the user interface to shift it to a platform.

Competitive Development

Flutter presents a more valuable and low-cost workflow that is impossible with other cross-platform languages. Also, compared to native development, establishing Flutter mobile apps needs fewer man-hours.

Productive and Stable

Ready-to-use gadgets made by Flutter provide excellent platform stability. Its syntax uses less code writing which makes debugging and upgrades easier. It helps Flutter developers benefit from writing code faster and being more productive.

Faster Time to Market

Developing Flutter apps needs less time than creating applications with other programming languages. And, as these applications apply faster coding, it will reduce the load time entering the market earlier.

What Is Flutter Development Framework?

The Flutter framework includes a widget-based library and a software development kit (SDK). It comes with a library of various reusable UI elements, such as sliders, text inputs, and buttons.

Flutter is a complete UI toolkit that Google designs for designing cross-platform applications. Flutter app development services support Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and Mac with complete fledge Flutter elements. Flutter is popular for its components and a free and open-source toolkit to create visually appealing apps.

It was introduced in the market in May 2017, and it is one of the fastest-growing repo on GitHub. Further, Flutter 2.0 was released in March 2021, significantly improving the framework.

Also, it imitates the native experience exclusive to the platform and doesn’t matter if you want to run your application on any devices like mobile, TVs, tablets, and more. Flutter always has your back as it is not only a framework but a complete software development kit. Flutter holds everything you will need for cross-platform app development.

With testing and integration APIs, rendering engines, ready-made widgets, and command-line tools by Flutter, you can develop a performance-rich application.

What Programming Language Flutter Is Based On?

The Flutter was developed by Google and is based on the Dart programming language. It aims to replace classic JavaScript, where with the help of Dart programs, one can run apps directly on a server. In the browser, they are converted to JavaScript using the Dart2js trans compiler.

Apps for Google's new platform, Fuchsia, are created with Dart. Flutters' structure is comparable to well-known object-oriented programming languages Java and C#.

Pros and Cons of Flutter App Development

Every programming language has its advantages and disadvantages. But, with Flutter, its advantages are more useful and developer-friendly than other technologies.

Pros of Flutter App Development

Flutter has multiple advantages to lead the app in the market. These advantages are intrinsic in the programming language and the development tools that allow Flutter to solve issues that other languages cannot cope with.

One Codebase for All Platforms

Unlike the traditional writing method for Android and another codebase for iOS devices, Flutter needs only one codebase. Flutter’s code reusability feature allows developers to write one codebase and use it for Android, iOS, web, desktop, and more.

It will help reduce development time and cost, enabling you to launch your app faster.

Widget's Principle Offers Countless Possibilities

Flutter’s custom widgets are a complete delight for developing great visuals for your app. At the same time, the Flutter app development service provider will help you build an attractive app where you don’t have to worry about the UI on other devices.

Rich Libraries

Flutter uses the Skia Graphics Library, a popular framework, a short and mature open-source graphics library. It redesigns the UI in the app every time a view changes. So, you will get a quick loading and smooth app experience.

Fast Testing With Hot Reload

The app development will be much faster with testing the hot reload feature. But using Flutter, there is no need to reload the app to see every change you make in the code. You can easily make changes in your app in real-time, so you have more opportunities to experiment with the code and fix bugs on the go.

Cons of Flutter App Development

There are no perfect technology keys that exist, and Flutter is no exception here. Its cons aren’t exactly deal-breakers, but here are some reasons why it is not an ideal toolkit for a specific app.

Large File Size

Due to widgets, flutter apps are quite large and “heavy” to start. In addition, they occupy a lot of space and take longer to download or update any data.

Complex Updating

It requires updating Flutter modules to upgrade programming essentials in operating systems. These Flutter modules are combined with fixed elements in the program; the latter must also be recompiled and reinstalled on the devices.

Limited Set of Tools and Libraries

With Flutter, you may not be able to get the desired functions in the current library as it is new in the market. Creating specific tools, expanding functionality, and developing the community will take some time.

Apps Developed on Flutter

The popularity of Flutter app development is continually growing, and so is the demand for Flutter developers. Top software development companies offer the best Flutter app development services in a wide range. It is used to create apps like Alibaba, Yandex, Airbnb, Philips Hue, Reflectly, Uber, Hookle, eBay, and more.

How To Get Started With Flutter?

With Flutter, the approach to app development is stimulated by declarative UI. Flutter developers can build custom widgets for an excellent app and combine them seamlessly with the existing ones. In addition to that, there is a smooth learning curve for the best-customized Flutter app development.

The following are the steps on how to get started with Flutter:

• Learn and understand Dart and other related programming languages such as C and Object-Oriented concepts.
• Join Gitter chat to communicate with people having hands-on Flutter experience.
• Have a precise requirements and features list for design and development and the type of applications you seek.
• Understand GitHub repositories by joining Slack and other flutter communities to gain adequate Flutter knowledge.
• Developers must attend technology conferences, tutorials, hackathons, and seminars for regular updates.
• Attending Flutter webinars, online courses, Flutter blogs, and participation in code challenges are the plus points.
• Install an editor and understand its fundamentals.
• Checking system requirements as per framework updates and version.
• After selecting your OS, download the Flutter SDK track for required instructions.

Why Is Flutter Best Choice for Web Development?

If you are looking to develop a web application that works flawlessly on any platform, Flutter is the right choice. It has a faster time-to-market and offers seamless UI at a budget-friendly cost. There are very few projects that could not include Flutter.

On the other hand, if you need a 3D touch app, Flutter web development doesn't fully support that for now. If your business app needs heavy contact with a camera or phone calls, Flutter can be monotonous. Flutter web applications also appear to be on another side if you are looking for a smaller version of the app.

Let's look at some reasons that make Flutter the best choice for web development:

• The interface is what your users will primarily use in the app, and for the same, it is essential to make Intuitive and Accessible Interfaces.
• Using Flutter, developers can customize your app and improve your interfaces' usability.
• It lets you develop an engaging frontend, and you will be able to customize everything from the icons to the colors and app layouts.
• You can build applications for Linux, Mac, and Windows. So, businesses can reach customers and engage with them beyond smartphones.
• It also aids boost business brand value and visibility.
• Startups can build serverless apps with this framework using Google firebase to support the backend for a quick development cycle.