The Dart programming language is a relatively new language developed by Google. It was first announced at the GOTO conference in Aarhus, Denmark, in October 2011 and was later unveiled to the public in November of the same year. Dart was created with the goal of providing a better web development experience, particularly for building high-performance, scalable web applications.
History of dart:
- Development at Google: Dart was developed by a team at Google, led by Lars Bak and Kasper Lund. The team recognized the limitations of JavaScript for large-scale web application development and set out to create a language that would address those challenges.
- Dart M1: The first public release of Dart, known as “M1,” was made available in November 2011. This release included the Dart language specification, a virtual machine (VM) for running Dart code, and a basic set of libraries.
- Dartium and Dart2JS: Alongside the M1 release, Google also introduced Dartium, a specialized version of the Chromium web browser that included the Dart VM. This allowed developers to run and test Dart code directly in the browser. Additionally, Dart2JS was introduced, which is a Dart-to-JavaScript compiler, enabling Dart code to run in browsers that do not have native Dart support.
- Language Evolution: Dart went through several iterations and updates to improve its features and performance. The language adopted a class-based object-oriented programming model and drew inspiration from languages like Java and JavaScript. It also introduced features like optional static typing, which could be used to add type annotations to variables and function signatures.
- Dart SDK and Dartium Integration: In 2013, Dart SDK 1.0 was released, which provided a more stable and mature foundation for developers. Dartium was integrated directly into the Dart SDK, making it easier to develop and test Dart applications in a dedicated browser environment.
- Open Source and ECMA Standardization: In October 2013, Google announced that Dart would be open-sourced under the BSD license. This move allowed developers outside of Google to contribute to the language’s development. Dart also began the process of standardization with ECMA International, a standards organization. The goal was to create an open standard for Dart to ensure its compatibility and broader adoption.
- Flutter: One of the significant milestones for Dart was the release of the Flutter framework in 2017. Flutter, built on top of Dart, is a UI toolkit for creating native mobile, web, and desktop applications. Flutter’s success has significantly contributed to the growth and popularity of Dart, especially in the mobile app development space.
Getting Started with dart:
If you’re interested in getting started with Dart programming, here are some steps to help you begin:
- Install Dart SDK: Visit the official Dart website (dart.dev) and download the Dart SDK for your operating system. The SDK includes the Dart compiler, virtual machine, and command-line tools necessary for development.
- Choose an IDE or Text Editor: Dart can be written in any text editor, but using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can enhance your development experience. Popular options for Dart development include JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA with the Dart plugin, Visual Studio Code with the Dart extension, or Android Studio with the Flutter plugin (which includes Dart support).
- Set up your Development Environment: Install your chosen IDE or text editor and configure it for Dart development. You may need to install additional plugins or extensions specific to Dart.
- Write Your First Dart Program: Create a new Dart file (with a .dart extension) and start writing your code. Dart follows a syntax similar to languages like Java or JavaScript, so if you have experience with those languages, you’ll find many familiar concepts. Begin with a simple “Hello, World!” program to ensure your setup is working correctly.
void main() {
print('Hello, World!');
}- Run and Test Your Code: Use the Dart command-line tools or IDE integration to run your Dart program. If you’re using an IDE, it will usually have a “Run” or “Debug” button to execute your code. Alternatively, you can use the Dart command-line compiler (dart) to run your program directly from the terminal.
- Explore Dart Documentation and Tutorials: Dart has excellent documentation available on the official Dart website (dart.dev). The documentation includes language guides, tutorials, and API references that cover various aspects of Dart programming. Explore the documentation to learn more about the language features, libraries, and best practices.
- Join the Dart Community: Dart has an active and supportive community of developers. Participate in online forums, discussion boards, or social media groups related to Dart. You can ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others in the community. The official Dart Slack channel is a great place to connect with fellow Dart developers.
- Learn Dart Packages and Libraries: Dart has a rich ecosystem of packages and libraries that extend its capabilities. Packages are collections of code that provide useful functionality for specific tasks. Explore the official Dart package repository (pub.dev) to find packages relevant to your projects. You can include these packages in your code by adding them as dependencies in your project’s pubspec.yaml file.
- Practice and Build Projects: The best way to become proficient in Dart is to practice writing code and work on real projects. Start with small projects and gradually increase the complexity as you gain more experience. As you progress, you may also consider exploring Flutter, which is built on Dart, to create cross-platform mobile, web, and desktop applications.
Remember to consult the official documentation, online tutorials, and other learning resources as you delve deeper into Dart programming. Regular practice, hands-on coding, and engaging with the community will help you grow your Dart skills and become a proficient developer.