What is all the fuzz about the new craze called flutter?
Well, let’s dive in and find out. But first, what is flutter?
Put, flutter is a mobile app development framework from Google that makes it easy for anyone to develop apps for Android and iOS.
The framework provides all the tools required for app development, from UI/UX design to code structure and testing. Flutter Developers can use these tools to create apps that function exactly as they want without diving into the nitty-gritty of coding.
Why does Google/Android use a different development tool than iOS?
Well, it’s because Google/Android doesn’t want to favor one platform over the other. Instead, they want their developers to have the same ease of use when creating apps for both platforms.
Developing for mobile is a different ballgame than building websites or laptops. With more smartphones and tablets being used daily, it’s important to create apps that work across all these devices. And since iOS and Android are the most popular operating systems in the world, having apps built for these OSes provides instant market access to over a billion users.
What makes flutter so special?
The best way to describe flutter is by comparing it to another older Google development tool, Firebase. We’ll cover what makes Firebase great and how flutter differs from it.
First off, let’s talk about code structure. Imagine you’ve created an app using Firebase that has about 10 screens. To keep things organized, you put all the common code in a single folder called Model/View/Controller (MVC). This is called the MV* pattern, and it’s used throughout iOS development.
Let’s say you want to create a similar app using flutter but keep most of the code in the same folder structure. However, when you try and add more content, such as another screen or a button, you’ll quickly run into issues since the folders are locked down. In short, having a similar folder structure with flutter is impossible, which is a bummer if you’re trying to organize your code.
The good news
The good news is that Google designed flutter to work well with some of the best IDE’s out there. So you can use your favorite text editor to code; the IDE will give you all the assistance needed.
The best part is that the flutter IDEs are free, making it easy for anyone to try them out. So, even if you’re a beginner, you can start developing apps immediately without worrying about spending thousands on expensive tools.
The bad news
The bad news is that as awesome as the Google-provided IDEs are, they don’t come without their quirks. Meaning even though they make developing apps easy, they can still drive you crazy if you’re not used to working with them.
For example, when using the Android Studio IDE, you’ll often face issues when trying to debug your code. Or, when using the iOS IDE, you’ll always get an error when adding a new ViewController.
So, if you’re looking for an easy app development tool that gives you all the benefits of a customized IDE without the quirks, then you should try out flutter.
Firebase
Now, let’s talk about Firebase, an even older Google tool still widely used today. Similar to flutter, Firebase provides an MVC structure to apps built with it. But whereas flutter uses the MV* pattern, Firebase takes a different approach and uses an MVC+ pattern.
The benefit of this is that when you’re using the MVC+ pattern, it’s easy to add more content to your app without worrying about breaking something. Meaning if you add a 16th screen to your Firebase-based app, you’ll add a new ViewController and continue coding without worrying about any other parts of the app breaking.
This is also why the Google-provided IDEs for Firebase aren’t that popular. Whereas flutter’s IDEs allow for more customization and better debugging, the Firebase ones work well but still require a bit of work to get them to behave how you want. And since Google stopped supporting Android Studio and instead recommends using the Android Development Wizard, which is part of the build system, you’re forced to use at least one of the Google-provided IDEs.
What can you do with flutter?
What can you do with flutter? It’s pretty easy to make a mobile app using this framework. You’ll need to get a Google account, create a new project, and add content.
So, you made it to the end of the article but aren’t sure how flutter works? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.
Diving Into the Details of Flutter’s ArchitectureIf you’re curious about how flutter works under the hood, Here, you’ll learn more about the tool’s architecture and how it integrates with Android and iOS.
An Inside Look at FirebaseIf you’ve used Google’s other app development tool, then you know how beneficial Firebase is. In simpler terms, Firebase gives you a free database with which to store and organize your app’s data. Meaning you don’t have to worry about buying a pricey SQL database or hosting your own.
Here’s a good resource on Firebase that discusses the various advantages of using this tool:
Why should you use Firebase rather than other database options? If you’re developing an app for iOS or Android, then the answer is simple: Firebase is the best choice. Meaning it’s what the developers behind flutter and other tools like it use. If you’re unhappy with the answer, it’s time to find another database platform.
Where can I get more information?
Now that you’re better equipped to understand flutter and its various benefits, it’s time to take a look at where you can get more information. If you want to know more about Google’s other app development tool, Firebase, check out their site or read any documentation.
On that note, whatever tool you use, good luck out there.
Flutter Community:
Flutter has a large and active community of developers who contribute to its development and offer support to new users. This community includes developers from around the world who collaborate on projects, share best practices, and provide help and advice to those who need it. The Flutter community also includes a range of resources such as forums, documentation, and blogs that provide valuable information to startups and developers alike.
The advantages of community support for startups using Flutter are significant. First, it can help them to quickly overcome any challenges they face during development. By leveraging the collective knowledge of the community, startups can save time and avoid common mistakes, ultimately leading to faster and more successful product launches.
Additionally, the Flutter community can help startups to network with other developers, which can lead to new opportunities and partnerships. Startups can also benefit from community-driven plugins and packages that can enhance their app’s functionality and reduce development time.
Finally, startups can benefit from the experience of other startups that have used Flutter to develop successful apps. By learning from the experiences of others, they can improve their development processes and make better decisions about their app’s design and functionality.
There are many examples of startups that have benefited from the Flutter community’s support. For instance, Flipkart, an Indian e-commerce company, used Flutter to develop its app and found the community to be extremely helpful in resolving technical issues and providing guidance on best practices. Another example is Groupon, which used Flutter to develop a new mobile app and found the community to be an invaluable resource for building a successful product.
Integration with Firebase
Flutter’s integration with Firebase, a mobile and web application development platform, provides startups with a range of services that can enhance their app’s functionality and improve user engagement. Firebase offers several services, including cloud storage, real-time database, authentication, and analytics.
Firebase Cloud Storage allows startups to store and serve files, such as images and videos, directly from Firebase servers. This can improve app performance and reduce the load on the startup’s own servers.
Firebase Real-time Database provides startups with a real-time database that can store and synchronize data across multiple devices. This can be useful for startups that need to share data between their app and a web application, for example.
Firebase Authentication offers startups a range of authentication options, including email and password authentication, social media authentication, and phone number authentication. This can help startups to create a secure login and registration system for their app, and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Firebase Analytics provides startups with detailed analytics about their app’s usage, user engagement, and performance. This can help startups to make data-driven decisions about their app’s design and functionality, and improve user engagement and retention.
There are many examples of startups that have benefited from Firebase integration. For instance, delivery startup Deliveroo used Firebase to build their real-time tracking feature, which allows customers to track their order’s progress in real-time. Another example is MyFitnessPal, a health and fitness startup, which used Firebase Analytics to gain insights into their users’ behavior and optimize their app’s performance.
Conclusion
Flutter is an excellent choice for new startups looking to develop robust and high-performing mobile applications. As a modern and versatile framework, Flutter offers a wide range of benefits that can help businesses streamline their app development process, improve their user experience, and achieve their business goals.
By partnering with a Flutter app development company, startups can leverage the expertise of experienced developers and create innovative and visually appealing apps that stand out in today’s competitive market. With Flutter’s growing popularity and strong community support, it’s a smart investment for any startup looking to make a significant impact in the mobile app space.
