Flutter (software)
Flutter is a free and open-source user interface software development framework created by Google, initially announced in 2015 and publicly released in 2018. It enables developers to build applications for various platforms—such as Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux—using a single codebase, which enhances coding efficiency and consistency across different systems. Flutter operates on the Dart programming language, which offers a straightforward learning curve and the ability to test and modify code incrementally.
The framework includes essential components, such as the Flutter engine, the Foundation library, and a collection of pre-designed widgets. The Flutter engine, developed in C and C++, serves as the core of the SDK, while the Foundation library provides functions that facilitate interaction with different platforms. Widgets are modular components that perform specific functions, allowing developers to incorporate commonly used features without redundant coding. This streamlined approach makes Flutter an appealing choice for developers looking to create cross-platform applications efficiently.
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Flutter (software)
Flutter is a free, open-source user interface software development framework. Created by Google in 2015 and first released in late 2018, Flutter allows software developers to use a single codebase to create programs to run on multiple web-based mobile and computer systems. This allows developers to easily create programs with smoother, more consistent coding across different platforms such as Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mac, and others.
Overview
Open-source software (OSS) is free software that the public is allowed to use, modify, and release to others without copyright restriction. It is often developed in collaborative environments, where multiple companies and users contribute to the product’s design, improvements, and updates. User interface software (UI or UIS) is the software that creates what people using the software see and interact with; for example, the main page, menus, and other “screens” of a website.
A codebase is the collection of codes to create software, websites, apps, etc. Each of these formats can, and often do, have different requirements. This means someone developing a website will have to use different codebases for that website to work on a Windows computer of a Mac, etc. Flutter is designed to prevent this problem.
Flutter was first announced by Google in 2015. Known as a software development kit, (SDK), it was released for public use on December 4, 2018. The kit uses a computer language called Dart, which was created by Google in 2011 and updated multiple times.
The development kit includes several components. These include a Dart platform, the Flutter engine, the Foundation library, and widgets. Used in combination, these components allow software developers to simplify the design process and create software that works on multiple platforms.
Flutter is built on a Dart platform, which means it uses the Dart computer language for its programming. Dart is a relatively easy-to-learn language that works on multiple systems. It also allows developers to test small portions of coding and to make corrections as they go without having to rewrite entire programs.
The Flutter engine is the core operating system of the SDK. It runs on C and C++ computer code. Like the engine of a car, the Flutter engine propels the operation of the rest of the program. The Flutter engine hosts, or provides a home location for, the applications built with Flutter. It also makes the foundation library and widgets work.
The Foundation library is a collection of functions that allows Flutter to operate and interact with different platforms. It also contains a series of widgets. Widgets are small components of a larger program that are usually meant to accomplish a specific function. For example, a widget can add a link to an app or website to connect users to a sign-up form or map.
Flutter has a catalog of widgets already designed and built to perform the most frequently used tasks added to software programs. This allows the developer to easily add functions without having to code each function separately for each program. This simplifies the programming task.
Bibliography
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