Flutter Mobile App Development: An Insight About Flutter As a Framework

Simple, powerful, efficient, and easily comprehensible framework for mobile app development in DART- Google’s own language, yes, it exists!

And the name of the framework is Flutter!

Using this popular app framework, you can develop a mobile application of top quality and high performance across mobile operating systems- Android, iOS, Windows, and more.

In an area where you have to deal with complex structures, codes, and stuff, Flutter is a boon to overcome the complexity. It renders the UI directly in the operating system’s canvas and not through the native framework.

So, if you are a startup and need an app with good market speed, Flutter is for you! Apart from this, there are other aspects of this amazing framework that are out of people’s eyes.

In this blog, we will discuss different aspects of Flutter that will give you an idea of how it fits your app requirements.
Let’s begin!

What is Flutter and How it Works?

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Introduced by Google, Flutter is an open-source framework for native mobile app development for cross-platform app development for different operating systems such as Android and iOS.

It is comparatively a new framework, which was released in May 2017. Flutter combines high performance with ease of development without compromising on the visual consistency between platforms.

Since it is completely free and allows using one codebase to create two different apps, it has gained popularity with React Native on GitHub and Stack Overflow.

It has two crucial parts that include:

• An SDK (Software Development Kit), which is a collection of tools that include the ones that you can use to compile your codes into native machine code. All the tools are used in mobile app development.
• Another important part of the Flutter framework is the UI library which is based on widgets. It includes a collection of UI elements that can be reused and personalized according to the needs. The UI elements could be buttons, text inputs, sliders, and more.

Apart from this, there are a few features that Flutter has to offer. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Flutter comes with a modern and reactive framework
• It uses the easy language DART for programming
• You can use the same codebase for two different apps
• Helps in the fast development of apps
• Comes with an attractive and fluid user interface
• It has a huge catalog of widgets
• Using Flutter, you can run the same UI for multiple platforms
• It is a simple and high-performance framework

Now, let’s see how this entire framework works.

The Working Pattern of Flutter

When it comes to working on Flutter, you must know the most crucial thing that everything is a widget! But, what is a widget? So, before you dive deep into the working of Flutter, let’s understand what a widget is and how it fits in Flutter framework and app development.

Widget is the innumerable number of descriptions for each element in the user interface. Now, widgets can be inflated into elements that manage the underlying render tree. It holds the configuration that you provide for the UI.

However, Flutter uses its own rendering engine to render each view component. This is how developers are able to build Flutter-based apps with characteristics similar to native apps. Here the Flutter builds the UI to reflect the state of the app. When the data on the app is changed the UI is redrawn and the Flutter constructs the new instance of the widget.

The three most important elements of Flutter are Widgets, Elements, and Render Objects. We have already discussed what a Widget is, let’s have quick details about Elements and Render Objects in Flutter. Elements are the ones that hold the slot in the UI hierarchy, manage the reference and tree. A render object is something that knows about the layout and points to the UI.

The widgets are configured and mounted which means rendered where a widget tree and element tree are created. Under the hood, the render tree is the third tree that uses the rendered object which computes and implements the basic layout and protocols.

The best example of a mobile application developed using Flutter is KlasterMe. It is a content sharing platform, where people can make pages, create and share a variety of content ranging from images to articles. The design is attractive and the user interface is simple where the content posting process is easy.

How is Flutter in Terms of Performance?

Flutter applications are usually observed to be equally performant as any other high-performance app. The biggest reason is that it is fast, offers seamless integration with mobile OS platforms.

The framework is fast where the rendering runs 60 fps and 120 fps for capable devices. The higher is the number of fps, the smoother would be the animation and transitions. Not only it is fast, but it also has numerous benefits to offer that we have discussed in the section below. Let’s have a look at each one of them.

What Benefits Does Flutter Bring for Developers and Your Business?

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Flutter is known for fast development owing to its beautiful and customizable widgets that help deliver outstanding mobile applications which are highly performant. This way, it fulfills all the custom requirements. Besides this, Flutter offers numerous benefits out of which some are mentioned below −

• Flutter lets you extend the capabilities of your application, owing to a large repository of software packages that comes with Dart.
• Developers can use just a single code base for both applications (both Android and iOS platforms). Also, it appears that Flutter may be extended to other platforms as well in the future.
• You need less testing for Flutter mobile apps as compared to other mobile development frameworks. The reason is the usage of a single code base, so when we write automated tests once for both platforms, it is completely fine and sufficient to get it tested once.
• As discussed in the section above, Flutter is apt for fast development especially when you need an app with a quick time to market. Also, the customization capability and extensibility make it powerful compared to other cross-platform mobile app development frameworks.
• Another best thing that comes with Flutter is the full control over the widgets and the layout that developers can exercise.
• Flutter offers an inventory of implicit UI segments that you can change easily, which makes the process of modification easier. Using it, you can customize the app and offer a great UI experience to your customers.
• Also, Flutter offers a huge library of software packages and developer tools, with amazing hot reload.

After getting an idea of how Flutter could be beneficial for your business, let’s see what all important things you should consider while using it.

Crucial Things You Should Know Before Using Flutter

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Flutter is something that has become popular and businesses are investing a huge amount in Flutter app development. But, before you begin with the Flutter development, here are a few things that you should consider:

• Modern Framework with Simple Processes

If at all you are doubtful about the architecture or working, then Flutter is a modern framework that is easy to learn and use. So, you will quickly get accustomed to the development cycle and create applications for mobile as well as the web. You can get started with simply a bunch of codes and develop an app that seems and feels like a native app.

• It Offers Quick Compilation

Flutter offers quick compilation, where you can quickly change your code and see the results. This specific process is called hot reload, where you take a little time to save the updates made in the Flutter app. However, major changes may force you to reload the entire app, but smaller changes like the design elements can be accommodated quickly and are in real-time.

• Ideal for Startup MVPs

As a business person, if you are looking for an MVP (minimum viable product) with enough features and speed to market, you should consider Flutter. The biggest reason is its speed development at an affordable cost as you don’t need to develop and maintain two different apps for different platforms. And, it creates value for users and allows for maximum personalization according to users’ needs.

• Take Help of Growing Community

Flutter offers a huge community where industry experts share their knowledge. You should consider taks3ing help during the development cycle of the app. Some common places where you can easily exchange information include:

1. Flutter Awesome- the best platform for tools and Flutter libraries

2. Awesome Flutter- a GitHub repository that offers a list of resources including components, videos, blogs, and utilities

3. It’s All Widgets- Here you will get a list of apps built using Flutter

4, Flutter Community- Here also you will get articles and stories related to the apps from the Flutter community

• Android Studio and VS Code Support Flutter

Flutter is suitable for IDEs (integrated development environments), where the two main code editors Android Studio and VS Code support the Flutter framework.

Android Studio is already well-integrated software, where you need Flutter and Dart to get started. On the other hand, VS code is a lightweight tool, where you can configure everything using plugins from the marketplace.

Apart from this, there could still be a lot of doubts about Flutter. Therefore, to fill in the common knowledge gaps related to the Flutter app development, below are a few FAQs.

FAQs About Flutter App Development

• Is Flutter good for app development?

Yes, Flutter can be considered one of the best frameworks when it comes to app development. It supports web content generation using standard web technologies: HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Based on it, you can compile the Flutter code (written in Dart) into client experience embedded in a browser for which you don’t need a browser plug-in and deploy to any web server.

• Who is Flutter for?

Since Flutter has a fast reach to the market, it is best for startups and even established enterprises.

• What type of apps can be built using Flutter?

Flutter is a framework complete with widgets and tools that help developers build apps on Android and iOS. Whether it is a simple or complex app, you can build both types of apps because of the language Dart and widgets that allow you to create structured codes, clear architecture, and aesthetically pleasing designs.

Some of the popular applications built using Flutter are- Google Ads, KlasterMe, Xianyu by Alibaba, Hamilton, Pairing, Lunching, and more.

• How much does Flutter app development and mobile app development cost?

For Flutter app development, the cost of all software development companies varies. It might range  from $15,000 to $1,00,000 depending on the features you include in the application.

However, if you want to get a functional and aesthetically pleasing app developed at affordable rates, you can consider getting it developed in India. Here you will get quality services and expert guidance.

• Is Flutter for backend or frontend?

Flutter is designed for the frontend and there is no backend for an application built on Flutter.

• Is Flutter open source?

Yes, Flutter is an open-source SDK that allows developers to develop cross-platform mobile applications and web apps as well.

• What makes Flutter so unique?

Here are a few things that make Flutter unique from the rest of the frameworks:

1. Flutter doesn’t rely on web browser technology, but on its own rendering engine to draw widgets.
2. It is fast and dynamic as a single code base is used that can be easily compiled into native codes, offering performance like native apps.
3. It has a hot reload, meaning wherever you make changes, they are reflected straightaway in the app. This helps increase development speed.
4. Flutter uses Dart as a programming language that has a reactive programming style. Also, it has features like a standard library, garbage collection, strong typing, generics, and async-awaits.
5. It is highly adaptable as it allows app development for web, mobile, and desktop. Also, you can create apps for different platforms like Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, Linux, and Web.
6. It requires less testing on the part of compatibility, owing to the usage of a single code base with no change to run across different platforms.

• What is inside Flutter SDK?

You get the following inside the Flutter SDK:

1. Mobile-first 2D rendering engine that is optimized and offers support for text
2. Modern framework
3. Rich set of widgets where you can implement Material Design and iOS-style
4. APIs to conduct unit and integration tests
5. Interop and plugin APIs using which you can connect to the 3rd-party SDKs and the system
6. Headless test runner that you can use to run tests on different platforms like Windows, Linux, and Mac Dart DevTools, that you can use to test, debug, and for profiling your app
7. Command-line tools that can be used to create, build, test, and compile your apps

• Does Flutter work with IDEs or Editors?

Yes, it does work with IDEs or editors, where you get plugins for Android Studio, IntelliJ IDEA, and VS Code. All you need to do is to check the editor’s configuration for details regarding the setup and Android Studio/IntelliJ and VS Code to get insights into how to use them.

• Does Flutter come with Widgets?

Yes, Flutter offers a set of high-quality Material Design and Cupertino (iOS-style) widgets, along with layouts and interesting themes. You can use them initially, however, Flutter has its own rendering engine that allows developers to create custom widgets.

• Does Flutter support material design?

Yes, Flutter fully supports material design. You can refer to the MDC-103 Flutter: Material Theming codelab, where you will get a few examples.

• Does Flutter come with debugging tools?

Yes, it does come with debugging tools that are called Flutter DevTools or Dart DevTools. You can check out Debugging with Flutter and the Flutter DevTools docs for further information.

• What technology is Flutter built with?

Flutter is built with C, C++, Dart, and Skia.

So, this was about Flutter as one of the best mobile app development solutions. We hope you found this informative and it has caught your interest and motivated you to get started with Flutter mobile app development.

If you want to get started with a Flutter app for your business, do let us know. Auxesis Infotech is a reputed mobile app development company with immense experience and rich exposure in different industries. Our team would help you with complete guidance throughout the app development cycle.