Well, there’s the catch! Today, every business is eyeing for mobile applications that can run on a single codebase over Android as well as iOS platforms. They don’t want to work in different spheres by creating a different application for android with an altogether different coding in an android specific programming language and go with the same process for iOS as well. That becomes too hectic to manage and requires a lot more investment too.
Alternatively, you cannot be with your application running over either Android or iOS as well. You have your audiences using both the platforms, so it’s important that you target both of them unless you want to lose a significant share of market for yourself!
So, cross platform applications come as the best way to go for achieving success with your mobile applications. However, can you really do that? With mobile app development technology running in different spheres with a ceaseless battle between these two business giants – Android and iOS, is it really possible to have an application that will be compatible with both, without actually requiring separate codebase?
Flutter App Development comes as one answer to these questions.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is a software development kit (SDK) by Google that helps you create cross-platform applications on a single codebase using the DART language.
With Flutter, you can easily eliminate your need to work on different programming languages and writing different codes for a same business application. Developing your application on Flutter offers you the flexibility to have it run conveniently with the same performance on several platforms at once, be it Android or iOS, or even web and desktops.
So, using Flutter, you can actually ease out the entire mobile app development process for yourself and create your own cross platform applications in as less as 5minutes.
How to Create Applications in Flutter?
Creating your cross-platform application on Flutter is as easy as just installing the Flutter SDK in your system, setting it up, and then running a simple command. That’s all! Once you get done with this, you shall have your application running on your devices.
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to make things a bit more easier for you.
Installing Flutter SDK
This is as simple as going to the Flutter website and installing the software in your system. However, there is more to it than just that.
Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Go to the Flutter Website, look for the version that is compatible with your system, and Install the same.
The file shall be zipped when you download it, so, you need to unzip it and move it to a location where your file shall remain more permanent.
Step 2: Open the zipped Flutter file in your Downloads folder, and select the option to Unzip the same. You can simply double-click on the file and it shall get unzipped.
Step 3: Create a new folder in the main user of your system and move the unzipped file in that folder.
Once you have the files in a secure folder, you need to guide your system on how to find them as and when needed.
Step 4: Open a terminal window and run the following command: vim .bash_profile
A user profile will open where you need to explain the path for your Flutter files. Write the following code in that profile:
export PATH=”$PATH:/Users/username/Developer/flutter/bin”
In the code, where “username” is mentioned, you need to write the username you had taken while unzipping and moving the Flutter SDK in your system.
Your Flutter SDK is set up and installed in your system, now you just need to go through some final steps and check if you have done it all right.
Step 5: Run the below code to save the path and exit the terminal.
:wq!
Step 6: Finally, quit the terminal, and then open it again for running the below code:
flutter –version
As you run the code, you shall get an output which must look something like this:
username@Usernames—MacBook—Pro Developer % flutter
Flutter 1.12.13+hotfix.9 • channel stable •
https : / /github . com/flutter/flutter.git
——version
Framework • revision f139b11009 (4 weeks ago) • 2020—03—30 13:57:30
Engine • revision af51afceb8
Tools • Dart 2.7.2
-0700
If you see the above result, you have set up the Flutter SDK correctly.
Now is the time to create your cross platform mobile application.
A place for big ideas.
Reimagine organizational performance while delivering a delightful experience through optimized operations.
Creating a Cross-Platform Application
All this will require is running two simple codes.
Step 1: Navigate to the window in your system where you wish to create your application and enter the following code:
flutter create my_crossplatform_app
Step 2: Move into the folder, find the application, and run it. Use the below command for the same:
cd my_crossplatform_app
flutter run
That’s it! Your application is created.
You can open the application on your devices and enjoy the experience.
Happy App Building!
