Basics

Dart Variables

Declaring Dart Variables

Dart variables use var or final for dynamic and immutable types.

Introduction to Dart Variables

In Dart, variables are fundamental building blocks that store data. Understanding how to declare and use variables is crucial for any Dart programmer. Dart provides two main ways to declare variables: using var for dynamic typing and final for immutable data.

Declaring Variables with var

The var keyword in Dart is used to declare a variable without explicitly defining its type. The type is inferred based on the initial value assigned to the variable. This approach offers flexibility, allowing you to assign different types of values to the same variable.

Once a type is inferred, the variable cannot be assigned a value of a different type without causing an error. This maintains type safety while providing initial flexibility.

Using final for Immutable Variables

The final keyword is used when you want to create a variable that can only be set once. After its initial assignment, the value of a final variable cannot be changed. This is particularly useful for constants or values that should remain unchanged throughout the program.

Using final ensures that your code is both safe and predictable, preventing accidental modifications to critical values.

Comparing var and final

While var is suitable for variables whose values might change during runtime, final is ideal for constants or values that should remain constant. Choosing between the two depends on the desired behavior of your program.

In general, use var for variables that need flexibility and final for variables that need to remain constant after assignment.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use var and final in Dart is essential for writing robust and efficient code. By selecting the appropriate type of variable declaration, you can ensure better control over your data's mutability and integrity.

In the next post, we will explore Dart Data Types, expanding upon the types of values that can be assigned to these variables.

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