Flutter & Dart: A Beginner's Guide

ElevatEd
Coding
June 10, 2025

Imagine developing a mobile app that is perfect on both Android and iOS without having to write different code for each. Sounds fascinating? That is Flutter and Dart magic, two powerful tools simplifying app development. For students and parents of grades 1–12, learning about these tools can get them engaged with the fascinating world of app development and coding.

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Let us find out how Flutter and Dart work, their features, and why they are ideal for beginners.

What is Flutter

Flutter is an open-source UI application development kit (SDK) designed by Google in 2017. With Flutter, developers are able to develop high-performance, visually stunning applications for a variety of platforms, such as mobile, web, and desktop, using a shared codebase.

Key Features of Flutter

Cross-Platform Development: Write once and run on Android, iOS, web, and desktop platforms.
Hot Reload: See changes happen in your application immediately while developing without having to restart the app.
Rich Widget Library: Flutter offers customizable widgets to develop beautiful user interfaces.
High Performance: Flutter apps built with Flutter operate smoothly as they are natively compiled.

What Is Dart?

Dart is a programming language developed by Google and released in 2011. It is the basis of Flutter and enables developers to code clean and efficient code for app development.

Key Features of Dart

Object-Oriented: Dart supports object-oriented programming (OOP) constructs like classes and inheritance to organize code.
Easy Syntax: Dart’s syntax resembles languages like JavaScript and C#, making it beginner-friendly.
Reactive Programming: Dart supports asynchronous programming, allowing applications to handle operations like fetching data from APIs without any issues.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Dart is compiled into native code and hence runs quickly on devices.

Why Use Flutter & Dart Together?

The combination of Flutter and Dart simplifies the development of applications but yields strong results:

Feature	Flutter	Dart
UI Design	Provides widgets for building interfaces	Enables declarative layout programming
Performance	Compiles apps into native code	Optimised for high-speed execution
Cross-Platform Support	Single codebase for multiple platforms	Ensures compatibility across devices
Ease of Use	Intuitive tools like Hot Reload	Beginner-friendly syntax

How Application Development Works with Flutter & Dart

Below is a step-by-step walkthrough of making an app with Flutter and Dart:

1. Set Up Your Environment

Download Flutter SDK and Dart SDK on your platform. Choose an integrated development environment such as Visual Studio Code or Android Studio for development.

2. Create Your First Project

Create a new Flutter project with an empty template. Create the logic of your app using Dart.

3. Design Your UI

Implement user-friendly interfaces (e.g., navigation bars, buttons, text fields) using Flutter widgets.

4. Write Business Logic

Use Dart to run tasks like fetching data from APIs or checking user input.

5. Test Your App

Flutter's Hot Reload allows you to see changes immediately without restarting the app.

6. Publish Across Platforms

Publish your app on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store via Flutter's cross-platform development feature.

Fun Fact: Did You Know?

Flutter apps run at 60 frames per second (fps), so animations are smooth and stunning, perfect for crafting sleek user experiences!

How Can 98thPercentile's Coding Course Help Students?

At 98thPercentile, we understand that platforms like Flutter and Dart can be intimidating unless one has guidance. Our coding syllabus deconstructs these concepts in an interactive environment geared towards students in grades 1-12.

Why Join 98thPercentile

Interactive online courses are instructed by seasoned professors.
Real-world project-based learning in app development.
Limited group sizes to ensure personalised attention.
Flexible scheduling to fit busy family lives.

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Flutter and Dart are transforming app development by simplifying processes to deliver high-performance results on devices like Android, iOS, web, and desktop. For students who wish to code or create apps, expertise in these technologies offers promising prospects in tech-related careers.

For parents looking for innovative means of supporting the learning process of their child in programming, enroll them in 98thPercentile's coding lessons, where learning such concepts as Flutter & Dart is possible through interactive lessons! Let us together make your child an expert in contemporary application development with confidence!

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FAQs

Q1: To what extent is Flutter employed?

Ans: Flutter is employed to develop cross-platform mobile (Android/iOS), web, and desktop applications from a common codebase.

Q2: What does Dart do in application development?

Ans: Dart is the programming language upon which Flutter is built, providing constructs for building solid logic and architecting reactive user interfaces.

Q3: Can beginners learn Flutter & Dart easily?

Ans: Yes! Both tools are beginner-friendly because of their easy-to-use syntax and features such as Hot Reload.

Q4: Why is Flutter better than other frameworks?

Ans: Flutter offers faster performance, widget customisability, and smooth cross-platform compatibility compared to the likes of React Native.

Q5: In what ways do students exercise coding with Flutter & Dart?

Ans: The students could start with simple projects like developing calculators or weather apps, utilising tutorials or coding lessons from 98thPercentile.