Effective Dart: Style

Why Dart Style Matters

Consistent code style is more than just aesthetics; it enhances readability, promotes collaboration, and simplifies maintenance. When everyone on a team adheres to the same style guidelines, it reduces cognitive load during code reviews and fosters a cohesive codebase.

Effective Dart Style Guidelines

1. Naming Conventions

• Use lowerCamelCase for variable and function names.

• Use UpperCamelCase for class names.

• Use snake_case for constant names.

Example:

int calculateSum(int num1, int num2) {
  return num1 + num2;
}

class MyClass {
  // Class definition
}

const int MAX_ATTEMPTS = 5;

2. Formatting

• Use 2 spaces for indentation.

• Limit line length to 80 characters.

• Use a trailing comma for lists and maps.

Example:

dartCopy codevoid main() {
  List<String> fruits = [
    'apple',
    'orange',
    'banana',
  ];

  Map<String, int> ages = {
    'Alice': 30,
    'Bob': 25,
    'Charlie': 35,
  };
}

3. Imports

• Organize imports alphabetically.

• Use relative imports for files within the same package.

Example:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'my_other_module.dart';
import 'utils.dart';

5. Avoid Magic Numbers and Strings

• Use constants for recurring values.

• Prefer enums over arbitrary integer constants.

Example:

const int maxAttempts = 5;
const String welcomeMessage = 'Welcome!';

enum Day { monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday }

Applying Effective Dart Style

1. Use Tools: Leverage dartfmt to automatically format your code according to style guidelines.

2. Enable Linting: Utilize Dart's static analysis (dart analyze) with linting rules (pedantic) to catch style violations.

3. Follow Examples: Study well-maintained Dart projects and libraries to see style guidelines in action.

4. Consistency is Key: Enforce style guidelines consistently across your codebase to maintain readability and coherence.