Which are top dart packages | From pub.dev

Google developed Dart, an open-source, object-oriented programming language. It was initially released in 2011 and has since gained popularity, especially in the web and mobile app development communities. Dart's syntax is similar to that of C-style languages, making it easy for developers to learn and use.

Dart is designed to be a general-purpose language that can be used for a variety of applications, including server-side web development, client-side web development, mobile app development, and command-line tools. One of the key features of Dart is its ability to be compiled into native machine code, making it fast and efficient.

In addition to its speed and efficiency, Dart has several other features that make it an excellent choice for developers. For example, Dart supports asynchronous programming, making it easier to write code that can handle multiple tasks at once without blocking. Dart also has a strong type system that catches errors at compile-time, making it easier to catch and fix bugs before they become a problem.

Dart packages are an essential part of the development process in Dart. Packages are collections of libraries and tools that can be used to extend the functionality of Dart applications. The Dart package manager, called pub, makes it easy to find and install packages from the Dart package repository.

Packages are essential for several reasons. First, they save developers time by providing pre-built solutions to common problems. For example, the http package provides a simple way to make HTTP requests from a Dart application. Second, packages can help improve the quality of code by providing a consistent set of tools and libraries that have been thoroughly tested and reviewed by the community. Third, packages can help developers stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the Dart community.

In conclusion, Dart is an excellent programming language that offers many features and benefits to developers. Its speed, efficiency, and support for asynchronous programming make it an excellent choice for a variety of applications. Dart packages are essential for developers, as they provide pre-built solutions to common problems, improve the quality of code, and keep developers up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. Overall, Dart and its packages provide developers with a powerful toolkit for building fast, efficient, and high-quality applications.

Overview of different package managers for Dart, such as Pub and Dart's official package repository

Dart, being an open-source programming language, has a rich library of packages that can be easily integrated into any project for added functionality. These packages are managed by package managers such as Pub, the official package manager for Dart, and other third-party package managers.

Pub is the most widely used package manager for Dart, and it comes bundled with the Dart SDK. It allows developers to easily search, install, and update packages for their projects. Pub also allows developers to specify dependencies in a pubspec.yaml file, which is then used to manage package versions and resolve conflicts. The official Dart package repository is hosted on pub.dev, where developers can publish their packages for public use.

There are also third-party package managers available for Dart, such as PackageVersion and PubGrub. PackageVersion is a simple package manager that aims to provide a simpler way of managing dependencies than Pub. PubGrub, on the other hand, is a more advanced package manager that uses a dependency solver to resolve conflicts and determine the best version of each package to use.

When it comes to comparing different package managers, there are several factors to consider. Believe it or not, high usability is a no:1 factor. Package managers that are easy to use and have intuitive interfaces are preferred by developers. Pub, being the official package manager for Dart, has a well-documented and user-friendly interface that is easy to use. PubGrub, while more advanced, can be more difficult to use due to its reliance on a dependency solver.

Another factor to consider is the package manager's ability to resolve conflicts and manage dependencies. PackageVersion, for example, is not as powerful as Pub or PubGrub when it comes to resolving conflicts. PubGrub, being an advanced package manager, is capable of resolving complex dependency conflicts.

When managing Dart packages in large-scale projects, it is essential to follow best practices to ensure smooth development and efficient package management. One of the best practices is to specify exact package versions in the pubspec.yaml file. This ensures that everyone working on the project is using the same package version, preventing version conflicts. It is also essential to regularly update packages to ensure that the latest bug fixes and security patches are applied to the project.

Another best practice is to use semantic versioning when publishing packages. Semantic versioning ensures that packages are released in a way that is predictable and easy to understand, making it easier for developers to manage dependencies. Additionally, when publishing packages, it is essential to ensure that all dependencies are included in the package and that they are correctly specified in the pubspec.yaml file.

In conclusion, Dart packages are a crucial component of the Dart programming language, providing added functionality to projects. Pub, as the official package manager for Dart, is the most widely used package manager, while other third-party package managers like PackageVersion and PubGrub provide alternatives. When managing packages in large-scale projects, following best practices such as specifying exact package versions and using semantic versioning can help ensure smooth development and efficient package management.

Top 10 popular Dart packages | Fan Favorites

1. http

The HTTP package is a composable, Future-based library for making HTTP requests in Dart. It is a multi-platform library that supports mobile, desktop, and the browser. Top-level functions made available by the library make it simple to send individual HTTP requests. For making multiple requests to the same server, a persistent connection can be kept open using a Client instead of making one-off requests. The creation of Request or StreamedRequest objects and the subsequent passing of them to Client.send by the library also enables more precise control over requests and responses.

The composable architecture of the HTTP package makes it simple for outside libraries to interact with it and add functionality. This can be done by developing a BaseClient subclass that covers another Client and incorporates the needed behaviour. For eg;, the package:http/retry.dart offers the class RetryClient that wraps an underlying http.Client that invisibly attempts unsuccessful requests again. This is achieved by customizing the RetryClient() constructor which can be used to change the default settings for retrying requests.

The HTTP package is a popular choice for making HTTP requests in Dart, and it provides features such as persistent connections, request and response customization, and composability. It has proven to be a reliable and easy-to-use library for developers working with HTTP resources. However, it is essential to note that best practices should be followed when using HTTP packages in large-scale projects. For instance, package management should be done carefully, and dependencies should be kept up-to-date to avoid potential security risks. Additionally, HTTP requests should be made with caution and security in mind to avoid vulnerabilities such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).

In conclusion, the HTTP package is a useful and reliable library for making HTTP requests in Dart. Its composable design allows for external libraries to work with it and add behavior, while its top-level functions make it easy to use for making individual HTTP requests. The RetryClient provided by the package:http/retry.dart is an excellent example of how the HTTP package can be extended to provide additional features. However, it is essential to follow best practices when using HTTP packages in large-scale projects to avoid potential security risks.

2. equatable

Equatable is a package in Flutter that simplifies the process of comparing instances of the same object without the need for overriding "==". By default, "=="" returns true if two objects are the same instance of the class.

However, with Equatable, you only need to extend the class with Equatable and provide a list of properties to compare. This package makes equality comparisons easier and more efficient in Flutter applications.

3. uuid

The uuid package allows for the simple and fast generation of RFC4122 UUIDs in Dart. It features the ability to generate version 1, version 4, or version 5 UUIDs and supports web, server, and Flutter platforms.

The package utilizes cryptographically strong random number generation on all platforms and provides a constructor that supports setting global RNG settings for v4 or v5 UUID generation. The package can be installed via pubspec and also supports direct installation from Git. Overall, the uuid package simplifies the process of generating UUIDs in Dart projects.

4. crypto

The crypto package is a collection of cryptographic hashing functions implemented in pure Dart. It supports various hashing algorithms, including SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, SHA-512/224, SHA-512/256, MD5, and HMAC (i.e. HMAC-MD5, HMAC-SHA1, HMAC-SHA256).

The package can be used to hash data in a single input or chunked input format. To create a pipeline for chunked input, use the startChunkedConversion method. The add method is then run for each chunk of input data. The package also supports HMAC with a secret key, which can be created using the Hmac class with the hash function and secret key being used.

5. path

The path package is a Dart library that provides a comprehensive set of operations for manipulating paths, including joining, splitting, normalizing, and more. It is designed to work on different platforms, including browsers, and will automatically adapt to the platform's path style when used with top-level functions.

A Context can be built with an explicit Style to work with routes for a certain platform regardless of the underlying platform. The library is used by many Dart packages and strives for high stability, with the guarantee that operations with valid inputs and correct output will not change. Yet, over time, various outputs might result from operations where the inputs are erroneous in terms of the semantics of the associated platform.

The path package's URL handling is based on the WHATWG URL specification, which is a living standard that is subject to change. The package reserves the right to modify its URL behavior in response to changes in the specification, although significant changes that break many valid uses may be treated as breaking changes.

6. get_it

Get_it is a library designed for Dart and Flutter projects that serves as a service locator. It provides a straightforward and streamlined approach to accessing service objects, including REST API clients or databases.

It eliminates the need for InheritedWidget or Provider, making it easier to organize, test, and maintain code as the application grows. Get_it allows easy switching between mocked and real versions of implementations without affecting the user interface. It also provides fast, O(1) performance, is easy to learn and use, and doesn't clutter the user interface tree with special widgets.

Additionally, the get_it_mixin library offers an easy state management solution, integrating with the objects registered in get_it, although it is not a complete state management solution on its own. Get_it is inspired by Splat, a service locator library for .Net, and provides the ability to access concrete implementations from anywhere in the application over the interface.

7. json_serializable

The json_serializable package is a set of builders for the Dart Build System that facilitate the handling of JSON in Dart projects. These builders automatically generate code when they encounter members that have been annotated with classes from the json_annotation package. To generate code for converting a class to and from JSON, simply annotate it with the JsonSerializable class and provide optional arguments to configure the generated code. Customization of individual fields can also be achieved by annotating them with the JsonKey class and providing additional arguments. The JsonLiteral notation can be used to generate a Dart field that contains the contents of a JSON file.

8. logger

Logger is a Dart package that provides a customizable and easy-to-use logging solution for Dart and Flutter projects. It allows you to print logs with different levels, such as verbose, debug, info, warning, error, and fatal.

The package provides options for customization, including the use of a filter to show only specific log levels and a printer to format and print logs in a readable manner. Additionally, the package provides an auto-detect feature to determine the width of the output and whether to enable colorful log messages.

The default log output is sent to the system console, but Logger allows for customization of the output location by implementing a LogOutput. The package also has a logger_flutter extension that enables you to shake your phone to display the console.

9. bloc

Flutter_bloc simplifies app state management by allowing developers to break down the app state into smaller state machines, reducing complexity and aiding testing. The package is built on top of the Streams and Widgets framework of Dart language and can be easily learned through core concepts like the Bloc API, BlocBuilder, and BlocListener.

Using the flutter_bloc library, developers can use various Widgets to update the user interface based on changes in the state. The package also provides the bloc_test package for easy and synchronous testing of Bloc classes. Overall, flutter_bloc is an intuitive and powerful solution for reactive and predictable app state management.

10. built_value

Built Value is a Dart library that provides solutions to the problems of serialization, immutability, and object comparison in Dart/Flutter applications. It allows developers to build their own value types with support for serialization and deserialization, ensuring that data models can be converted to and from JSON objects easily. Additionally, Built Value provides support for immutability, which ensures that changes made to an object are reflected throughout the app, and object comparison, which simplifies comparisons between objects. The library also includes precondition checks, hash value generation, and support for complex data serialization, making it a valuable tool for developers working with Dart/Flutter applications.

Conclusion | Top dart packages from pub.dev

In conclusion, Dart continues to grow in popularity, and its ecosystem of packages is expanding rapidly. In 2023, the top Dart packages are diverse, covering a range of areas from user interface development to backend systems.

These packages offer developers a vast array of tools to create high-quality, efficient, and reliable applications. As Dart continues to gain traction, we can expect to see more exciting and innovative packages added to the ecosystem in the coming years.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, these top packages can help you develop robust, scalable, and maintainable applications with ease.