Flutter Packages

Understanding Packages with Examples

In this blog section, we will learn to develop packages from scratch in both dart and flutter.

Using a Dart Package

Dart packages are generally published and hosted on a live server. Flutter provides various simple and easy tools to manage dart and its packages in the application. We need to follow certain steps to implement and use the dart package as shown below:

• Include the package version and name in pubspec.yaml:
   

dependencies: english_words: ^3.1.5

 

• You can find the latest version by checking the online server. You can install the package by the command shown below:

flutter packages get

 

• Dart packages can be updated or installed in Android Studio using the menu option.
• You can import the necessary files as shown below:

import 'package:english_words/english_words.dart';

 

• You can use any method available in the package, as in the example below. We have used nouns to print the top 22 words:

nouns.take(22).forEach(print);

Develop a Flutter Plugin or Package

Here, we will see the step-by-step explanation to create a flutter package in android studio.

• The first click on the file, then select the new option, and from that new option, select new flutter project from the dialog box as shown below:

 

• After selecting the new flutter project option, click next on the following screen:

 

 

• Now fill in the required details of your project in the following dialog box like the name of the project, project description, project location, etc.

 

 

• Now, your task is created. Open the flutter_custom_package.dart . After that, replace the existing code with the code given below:

 

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';  
  
class CustomPackageAlertBox {  
  static Future showCustomAlertBox({  
    @required Widget willDisplayWidget,
   @required BuildContext context,    
  }) {  
    assert(context != null, "If context is null!!");  
    assert(willDisplayWidget != null, "If willDisplayWidget is null!!");  
    return showDialog(  
        context: context,  
        builder: (context) {  
          return AlertDialog(  
            shape: RoundedRectangleBorder(  
              borderRadius: BorderRadius.all(Radius.circular(20)),  
            ),  
            content: Column(  
              mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,  
              children: <Widget>[  
                willDisplayWidget,  
                MaterialButton(  
                  color: Colors.white70,  
                  child: Text('Close Alert'),  
                  onPressed: () {  
                    Navigator.of(context).pop();  
                  },  
                )  
              ],  
            ),  
            elevation: 12,  
          );  
        });  
  }  
}  

 

• Now to check the following code, create a new project and open pubspec.yaml file, and in the dependency section, add the following code:

 

dependencies:   
   flutter:   
      sdk: flutter   
   flutter_custom_package:   
      path: ../  

 

• When you add this custom package, the android studio will ask to update the dart file. To import the package in the dart file, use the following line:

 

import 'package: flutter_custom_package/flutter_custom_package.dart';  

How to Publish a Package

You can easily publish the package after successfully implementing it on the pub.dev so that other developers can use it. Before publishing, make sure everything is correct in pubspec.yaml file. Oe runs the command to analyze the package:

 

$ flutter pub publish --dry-run.

 

At last, run the command to publish the package:

 

$ flutter pub publish  

Let us now look at some FAQs based on the above discussion: 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the benefit of using packages in flutter?

We can use shared packages shared in the dart flutter ecosystem by other developers.

Mention some of the important features of flutter.

Some of the important features of the flutter are a hot related, one-stop solution, scalability, integration, and a vast widget library.

Mention some of the limitations of flutter.

Flutter requires a dart for work, Third-party libraries are limited, and its release size is large are some of the limitations of flutter.

Name some of the applications that use flutter.

Some flutter applications are Alibaba, Tencent, Google Ads, etc.

Conclusion

In this article, we have extensively discussed packages in a flutter with their types and the procedure to create packages in dart and flutter, followed by how to publish them with proper explanation.

We hope this blog has helped you enhance your knowledge of packages in a flutter.

IF you want to learn about splash screens, visit this blog here. You will get a complete idea about splash screens in a flutter with their characteristics and examples.

And if you have any questions about flutter, you must visit this blog here. You will most probably have answers to all of your questions.

Refer to our guided paths on Coding Ninjas Studio to learn more about DSA, Competitive Programming, React, JavaScript, System Design, etc. Enroll in our courses, refer to the mock test and problems; look at the interview experiences and interview bundle for placement preparations. Do upvote our blog to help other ninjas grow.

 “Happy Coding!”