Play Store Application link – Java to Dart in 10 Steps – App on Google Play

Welcome to the world of Dart! If you’re a Java developer, you’re already familiar with many programming concepts. In this guide, we’ll explore Dart, a modern programming language that you can leverage with your existing Java knowledge. Let’s dive in!

1. Overview of Dart

What is Dart?

Dart is a programming language developed by Google. It’s designed for building fast, high-performance apps for various platforms. Think of it like Java, but with a modern twist and some cool features aimed at making app development easier and more efficient.

History and Evolution

Dart was introduced in 2011, but it has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, it was designed to improve upon JavaScript and simplify web development. With the rise of Flutter, Dart has become well-known for building cross-platform mobile and web applications. The language has grown to include modern features that streamline development and boost performance.

2. Dart vs. Java

Let’s compare Dart to Java to see how the two languages stack up. If you know Java, you’ll notice several similarities and some key differences.

Syntax Differences

• Java: public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello, Java!");
}
}
• Dart: void main() {
print('Hello, Dart!');
}

In Dart, the main function is the entry point of the application, similar to Java’s main method. Dart doesn’t require you to define a class for the main function, making it a bit more concise and straightforward.

Language Features Comparison

• Data Types:
  • Both Dart and Java are strongly typed languages, which means you must define the type of variables. For instance:
    • Java: int number = 5;
String text = "Hello";
    • Dart: int number = 5;
String text = "Hello";
• Object-Oriented Programming: Dart, like Java, is object-oriented. You’ll work with classes, objects, inheritance, and more. For example:
  • Java: public class Person { String name; Person(String name) { this.name = name; } }
• • Dart: class Person { String name; Person(this.name); }
  Dart uses a similar approach but has more concise syntax, especially for constructors.
• Exception Handling: Dart’s error handling is similar to Java’s:
  • Java: try { // code that may throw an exception } catch (Exception e) { // handle exception }
• • Dart: try { // code that may throw an exception } catch (e) { // handle exception }
  Dart uses try, catch, and finally blocks for exception handling, just like Java.

3. Setting Up Dart Development Environment

Getting started with Dart is easy. Here’s how you can set up your environment:

Installing Dart SDK

1. Download Dart SDK: Go to the Dart SDK website and download the SDK suitable for your operating system.
2. Install: Follow the installation instructions provided on the site to set up Dart on your machine.

Setting Up IDEs

You’ll need an IDE to write and manage your Dart code. Here are two popular choices:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code):
  1. Download and Install: Get VS Code from the Visual Studio Code website.
  2. Install Dart Extension: Open VS Code, go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X), and search for “Dart”. Install the Dart extension to get features like code completion and debugging support.
• IntelliJ IDEA:
  1. Download and Install: Get IntelliJ IDEA from the IntelliJ IDEA website.
  2. Install Dart Plugin: Open IntelliJ IDEA, go to Settings (or Preferences), and search for “Plugins”. Install the Dart plugin.