Flutter Course: 3.2 Installing Android Studio

Flutter is a UI toolkit developed by Google that allows you to create beautiful, natively compiled applications for multiple platforms like iOS and Android with a single codebase. In this course, we will take a closer look at how to install Android Studio, an important component of the Flutter development environment. Android Studio is the official IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for Android app development, and it is widely used for Flutter development as well.

Table of Contents

1. What is Android Studio?

Android Studio is a powerful integrated development environment supported by Google, which includes all the tools needed for developing, testing, and deploying Android applications. This IDE offers a user-friendly UI and advanced code editing features, enhancing developer productivity with real-time error detection and code completion.

When developing Flutter apps, you can efficiently test and debug applications on various Android devices using the built-in emulator and tools. Furthermore, by integrating the Flutter SDK through Android Studio, you can enjoy a more seamless development experience.

2. System Requirements

To install Android Studio, the following minimum system requirements are needed:

Windows

  • 64-bit Windows 8/10/11
  • 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
  • 4GB of free disk space
  • A screen that supports a resolution of 720p or higher

Mac

  • macOS Mojave (10.14) or later
  • 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
  • 4GB of free disk space
  • A screen that supports a resolution of 1280 x 800 or higher

Linux

  • 64-bit distribution
  • 8GB RAM (16GB recommended)
  • 4GB of free disk space
  • A screen that supports a resolution of 1280 x 800 or higher

3. Installation Steps

Now, let’s go through the step-by-step process to install Android Studio.

3.1. Downloading Android Studio

The first step is to download the installation file from the official Android Studio website. The latest version of Android Studio can be found on Google’s official Android Studio website.

3.2. Running the Installation File

Once the download is complete, run the installation file. If you are a Windows user, double-click the .exe file to start the installation wizard, and if you are a Mac user, open the .dmg file and drag the Android Studio icon to the Applications folder.

3.3. Installation Process

In the installation wizard, you will have the following options to choose from:

  • Standard Installation: Includes common development tools.
  • Custom Installation: Allows you to select additional features or tools as needed.

After completing the installation, run Android Studio and proceed to download the SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK is an essential tool needed to build Android applications.

3.4. First Run

When you run Android Studio for the first time, the “Complete Installation” wizard will run, allowing you to set up basic configurations. Here, you will define the SDK location and the default theme, completing the initial IDE setup.

4. Components of Android Studio

Android Studio is composed of various components. This section covers the main components.

4.1. Project Structure

The projects in Android Studio are organized through a directory structure. The main folders are as follows:

  • app: Contains all the source code and resources of the application.
  • gradle: Files related to managing the build system.
  • build.gradle: Defines the build settings for the project.

4.2. Emulator

Android Studio provides an emulator that can simulate various Android devices. This allows you to test apps without needing a physical device. The emulator creates virtual devices to show how the application functions across different Android versions and screen sizes.

4.3. Rendering Options

When used with Flutter, Android Studio offers various UI rendering options to view the UI in real-time as it would appear in a real application. This facilitates design review and debugging.

5. Integrating Flutter with Android Studio

Once Android Studio is installed, you need to set up and integrate the Flutter SDK. You can refer to a previous tutorial for instructions on installing Flutter. After the integration, you can utilize all the features of Android Studio for Flutter package management and coding.

5.1. Installing the Flutter SDK

After installing the Flutter SDK, install the Flutter plugin in Android Studio. The process is as follows:

  • Open Android Studio.
  • Select File > Settings (or Android Studio > Preferences for macOS) from the top menu.
  • In the Plugins menu, select Marketplace, then search for “Flutter” to find and install the plugin.
  • Once the Flutter plugin is installed, you will be prompted in a dialog to also install the Dart plugin.

5.2. Creating a New Flutter Project

After integrating Flutter with Android Studio, here’s how you can create a new Flutter project:

  • Run Android Studio and select Start a new Flutter project.
  • Choose the project type, typically select Flutter Application.
  • Set the project path and name, then click the Finish button.

A new Flutter project will be created, allowing you to start application development. Utilize the various features of Android Studio and the performance of Flutter to develop great apps.

6. FAQ

Q1: How long does it take to install Android Studio?

A1: The installation time for Android Studio can vary depending on the operating system, internet speed, and system performance, typically taking between 10 to 30 minutes.

Q2: Can I only use Android Studio to create Flutter apps?

A2: No, other IDEs like Visual Studio Code can also be used for Flutter app development. However, Android Studio comes with integrated tools for Flutter and Android development, making it convenient.

Q3: How do I update the Android SDK?

A3: You can update the SDK through the SDK Manager within Android Studio. Select Tools > SDK Manager from the top menu to download and install the latest SDK and packages.

7. Conclusion

In this course, we have looked at the installation process and key features of Android Studio. Setting up the correct development environment is the first step in Flutter app development, influencing the speed and quality of subsequent development. Utilize the various features of Android Studio to create amazing apps. In the next course, we will cover the basic concepts and widgets of Flutter. Stay tuned!

Flutter Course 3.1: Installing Flutter SDK

Hello! In this tutorial, we will learn how to install the Flutter SDK. Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK) developed by Google, which allows you to build applications for mobile, web, and desktop. Today, I will guide you step by step through the process of installing the Flutter SDK.

1. What is Flutter?

Flutter is a UI toolkit that enables you to create high-quality applications across various platforms. With Flutter, you can create apps for iOS, Android, the web, and desktop, all from a single codebase, maximizing developer productivity.

2. Preparing to Install Flutter SDK

Before installing the Flutter SDK, you need to prepare a few things. Follow the steps below to check the system requirements needed for installation.

2.1 System Requirements

  • Operating System: Supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Disk Space: At least 1.4GB of free space is required.
  • Git: Git must be installed as it is used for version control of the Flutter SDK.

2.2 Installing Development Tools

It’s recommended to use an IDE such as Android Studio or Visual Studio Code when using Flutter. IDEs help simplify app development and make it easy to install necessary plugins.

3. Downloading and Installing Flutter SDK

Now we will move on to the steps of downloading and installing the Flutter SDK. Please follow the procedures below.

3.1 Download Flutter SDK

The Flutter SDK can be downloaded from the official website. Click the link below to download the latest Flutter SDK.

3.2 Extracting Flutter SDK

The downloaded SDK will be in ZIP file format. You need to extract this file to the desired location. It is generally recommended to use a path like `C:\src`. After extraction, the following structure will be created:

  C:\
    └── src
        └── flutter
            ├── bin
            ├── examples
            ├── packages
            └── ...

3.3 Setting Environment Variables

After the Flutter SDK is installed, you need to set the environment variables. This allows the Flutter command line to be called from any location.

  • Windows:
    1. Open ‘Control Panel’ from the Start menu.
    2. Click on ‘System and Security’ and then click on ‘System.’
    3. Select ‘Advanced system settings.’
    4. Click the ‘Environment Variables’ button.
    5. In the ‘System variables’ section, find and select the ‘Path’ variable and click ‘Edit.’
    6. Click ‘New’ and enter the path to the Flutter SDK’s bin directory (C:\src\flutter\bin).
    7. Close all dialogs by clicking the ‘OK’ button.
  • macOS and Linux:
            # Add the following to ~/.bash_profile or ~/.zshrc
            export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/flutter/bin"
            

    To apply the changes, run the following command in the terminal:

            source ~/.bash_profile  # for bash
            source ~/.zshrc          # for zsh
            

4. Verifying Flutter SDK Installation

To verify that the installation has been completed successfully, check the Flutter version from the command line. Type the following command:

flutter --version

If installed correctly, the version information of the installed Flutter SDK will be displayed.

5. Running Flutter Doctor

After installing the Flutter SDK, the next step is to run “Flutter Doctor” to check the setup status. Flutter Doctor diagnoses the status of the installed Flutter SDK and checks whether necessary tools are installed correctly.

flutter doctor

When this command is entered, a list of items that Flutter needs to check will be displayed. If each item is marked with a green check mark (✓), it indicates that the item is installed correctly. If it is marked with a red X (✗), that item needs to be addressed.

Checking Required Tools for the Project

After running Flutter Doctor, check whether the Android SDK, Android Studio, Xcode (optional), or other required tools are installed. Android Studio and Xcode are essential for developing Android and iOS applications, respectively.

6. Setting Up IDE

Now that you have installed the Flutter SDK, you need to set up your IDE. Here’s a brief introduction to setting up the most commonly used IDEs, Android Studio and Visual Studio Code.

6.1 Installing and Setting Up Android Studio

  1. Download and install Android Studio.
  2. Upon first running after installation, install the Flutter and Dart plugins under Plugins.
  3. After the plugins are installed, select File > New Flutter Project to create a new Flutter project.

6.2 Installing and Setting Up Visual Studio Code

  1. Download and install Visual Studio Code.
  2. In the Extension View, install the ‘Dart’ and ‘Flutter’ extensions.
  3. Create a new Flutter project in Visual Studio Code.

7. Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered how to install the Flutter SDK. Now that the basic Flutter environment is set up, you are ready to start working on actual projects. In the next tutorial, we will explore the basic UI components and application structure of Flutter. Keep exploring the charm of Flutter!

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask in the comments. Thank you!

Flutter Course: 2.7 Running a Project

Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK) developed by Google that allows you to create iOS, Android, web, and desktop applications from a single codebase. While it is possible to build stunning user interfaces using the latest version of Flutter, new users often struggle to set up their first project. In this tutorial, we will explore how to create and run a project using Flutter 2.7.

1. Setting Up Flutter Environment

The first step to starting a project is to set up the Flutter development environment. This requires installing the Flutter SDK, an IDE, and the necessary tools.

1.1 Installing the Flutter SDK

To install the Flutter SDK, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the official Flutter website (flutter.dev).
  2. Select and download the installation guide for your operating system.
  3. Unzip the downloaded ZIP file to an appropriate directory.
  4. Add the Flutter binary path to your system PATH.

1.2 Installing Development Tools

For convenient development, it is recommended to install an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). The best compatible options with Flutter are:

  • Android Studio: An IDE provided by Google that includes powerful Android development tools.
  • Visual Studio Code: A lightweight code editor that can be extended with Flutter plugins.
  • IntelliJ IDEA: An IDE developed by JetBrains that provides plugins for Flutter development.

1.3 Running Flutter Doctor

Once the installation is complete, run the flutter doctor command to check for any missing dependencies and ensure the environment is set up correctly. Open a terminal (or command prompt) and enter the following command:

flutter doctor

When you run the command, it will output the status of the installed tools and required dependencies. If any items are missing, it is important to follow the guide provided by Flutter to install them.

2. Creating a Flutter Project

Once the environment is set up, let’s create your first Flutter project. You can easily create a new project using the Flutter CLI (Command Line Interface).

2.1 Creating a New Project

Enter the following command in the terminal to create a project:

flutter create my_first_app

This command creates a new Flutter project named my_first_app. You can change it to a name of your choice.

2.2 Navigating to the Created Project Directory

Once the project is created, you need to navigate to that directory. Enter the following command:

cd my_first_app

3. Running the Flutter Project

After creating the project, here’s how to actually run the Flutter app. Flutter offers various ways to test your app, and you can run it on a simulator, emulator, or real device.

3.1 Running the Android Emulator

If you have set up an Android emulator using Android Studio, you can run it through the following steps:

  1. Open Android Studio and launch the AVD (Android Virtual Device) Manager.
  2. Create a new virtual device or select an existing one to run.

3.2 Running the Flutter App

Now you are all set. Use the following command to run the Flutter app:

flutter run

By entering the above command, the created Flutter app will run on the emulator or connected physical device. If multiple devices are connected, a prompt will appear asking you to select the device to use.

4. Checking After Project Execution

If the app runs successfully, the basic Flutter app interface will open. Now you can personalize the app with simple modifications. You can verify changes by modifying the default Flutter sample code provided.

4.1 Modifying the Code

Open the lib/main.dart file of the project to check the basic code structure and make the following changes:


import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() => runApp(MyApp());

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(
          title: Text('Hello, Flutter!'),
        ),
        body: Center(
          child: Text('Hello, Flutter World!'),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

After applying the above code, enter the flutter run command again, and the app screen will update to show the new text.

4.2 Using Hot Reload

One of the advantages of Flutter is its Hot Reload feature. This allows you to apply code changes to the application in real-time without restarting the app. Changes are automatically updated upon saving the code.

5. Debugging and Troubleshooting

You may encounter issues while running the app. Here are some tips for resolving such issues:

5.1 Rechecking Flutter Doctor

If issues persist, run flutter doctor again to ensure that all dependencies are installed correctly.

5.2 Checking Logs

You can track error messages and resolve issues by checking the logs that occur during app execution. You can view the logs using the flutter logs command in the terminal.

5.3 Google It

Most problems are likely experienced by other developers as well. It is advisable to search for error messages related to issues to find useful information.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we learned how to create and run a basic project using Flutter 2.7. Flutter is a powerful platform, especially suited for mobile application development. By following the above steps, you can easily start your own project and explore various features of Flutter. You can find more resources and documentation at the official Flutter documentation.

In future tutorials, we will cover more advanced topics such as various Flutter widgets, state management techniques, API communication, and more. Stay tuned!

Flutter Course: Installing Visual Studio Code 2.6

Flutter is an open-source UI framework developed by Google that allows you to easily create high-performance applications for mobile apps, web apps, and desktop applications. Today, we will learn how to set up the Flutter development environment using Visual Studio Code. This tutorial provides a step-by-step explanation for those who are new to Flutter.

Essential Preparations

  • Windows, macOS, or Linux operating system
  • Internet connection
  • Visual Studio Code (VSCode)
  • Flutter SDK
  • Various plugins

1. Download and Install Visual Studio Code

First, you need to download Visual Studio Code. Visual Studio Code is free and supports various operating systems.

Step 1: Click the link below to visit the official Visual Studio Code website.

Download Visual Studio Code

Step 2: Download the installation file suitable for your operating system. Choose one of Windows, macOS, or Linux and proceed to download.

Step 3: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the instructions of the installation wizard to complete the installation. It is recommended to select the “Add to PATH” option during installation.

2. Download and Install Flutter SDK

Once Visual Studio Code is installed, you need to install the Flutter SDK.

Step 1: Click the link below to visit the official Flutter SDK website.

Download Flutter SDK

Step 2: Download the zip file suitable for your operating system and unzip it to your desired location.

Step 3: You need to add the Flutter SDK’s path to the system environment variables.

  • Windows: Add the path to the Flutter’s bin folder in the ‘Path’ variable in system environment variables.
  • macOS/Linux: Run export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/flutter/bin" in the terminal or add it to your ~/.bash_profile or ~/.bashrc file.

Once the installation is complete, open the terminal and run the flutter doctor command to check the installed Flutter environment.

3. Install Flutter and Dart Plugins in Visual Studio Code

To develop with Flutter, you need to install plugins related to the Dart language.

Step 1: Open Visual Studio Code and click the ‘Extensions’ icon in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Type ‘Flutter’ in the search box and find the plugin called ‘Flutter – Dart Team.’ Click the Install button to install it.

Step 3: It is also recommended to install the plugin named ‘Dart.’ This plugin adds support for the Dart language.

4. Create a New Flutter Project

To create a Flutter project, use the Command Palette in VSCode.

Step 1: Press (Windows: Ctrl + Shift + P, macOS: Cmd + Shift + P) to open the Command Palette.

Step 2: Type ‘Flutter: New Project’ and select it.

Step 3: Enter the name of the project and select where to save it.

Step 4: Once the project is created, VSCode will automatically navigate to that project.

5. Run the Project

Now, let’s run the project to check if the Flutter application has been created successfully.

Step 1: Open the terminal and type the flutter run command. You can run the application in a web browser or on an emulator.

Step 2: You can also connect a physical device or use an emulator in Android Studio. Select a device from the bottom bar of VSCode and type flutter run again.

6. Configure the Flutter App

Let’s learn how to configure a Flutter app. The ‘lib/main.dart’ file generated by default is the entry point of the application. You can write code in this file to add UI and functionality.

Below is the structure of a simple Flutter application:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      title: 'Hello Flutter',
      home: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(
          title: Text('Welcome to Flutter!'),
        ),
        body: Center(
          child: Text('Hello, world!'),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

In the above example, MaterialApp is used to create an app based on Flutter’s Material Design. This app has a UI that displays a simple text.

7. Concluding the Flutter Tutorial

In this tutorial, we learned how to set up the Flutter development environment using Visual Studio Code. We covered how to create a basic Flutter project and run it with a simple code example. Based on this tutorial, you will be able to lay the foundation for creating more complex Flutter applications.

For more information and resources, refer to the official Flutter documentation (https://flutter.dev/docs). In future Flutter courses, we will cover more topics, so stay tuned!

Questions and Feedback

If you have any questions or feedback about this tutorial, please leave a comment below. Let’s learn and grow together with Flutter!

Flutter Course: 2.5 Utilizing ‘flutter doctor’

Flutter is a UI toolkit developed by Google that allows developers to create applications for both iOS and Android from a single codebase. Because of these advantages, many developers choose Flutter and can easily create applications that run on various platforms. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the flutter doctor command to check the Flutter development environment in detail.

1. What is ‘flutter doctor’?

flutter doctor is the first command that should be run after installing the Flutter framework. The main purpose of this command is to verify that the components required for the Flutter development environment are installed correctly and to provide information to prevent issues in advance.

2. How ‘flutter doctor’ works

Flutter requires various SDKs and tools to operate on different platforms. The flutter doctor command checks whether these tools are installed and notifies the user if additional installations are required. This command performs checks for various platforms (e.g., iOS, Android, etc.).

3. Running ‘flutter doctor’

Open the terminal and enter the following command:

flutter doctor

When you execute the command, the terminal window will display output like the following:

[✓] Flutter (Channel stable, 3.3.5, on macOS 12.5 21G651, locale en-US)
    [✓] Android toolchain - develop for Android devices (Android SDK version 31.0.0)
    [✓] Xcode - develop for iOS and macOS (Xcode 13.4.1)
    [✓] Chrome - develop for the web
    [✓] Android Studio (version 2021.1)
    [✓] VS Code (version 1.68.0)
    [✓] Connected device (2 available)
    [✓] Network resources
    

4. Interpreting the output

In the output above, the symbol in front of each item indicates the installation status:

  • [✓]: Item installed correctly
  • [!] : Item has a warning (e.g., some tools may not work properly)
  • [✗]: Item needs installation or has issues

4.1 Flutter

The Flutter item checks if the Flutter SDK is installed correctly. If installed properly, a [✓] symbol is displayed along with version information and the OS in use.

4.2 Android toolchain

This item checks if the SDK required for Android development is installed correctly. If installed properly, a [✓] symbol is displayed along with the Android SDK version information.

4.3 Xcode

The Xcode item checks if the tools for developing on the iOS platform are installed correctly. A [✓] indicates the available version of Xcode.

4.4 Connected devices

The connected devices item checks whether a physical device for development is connected. If this item shows [✓], the device is connected properly.

4.5 Network resources

The network resources item checks whether access to resources related to Flutter is available. This item should be [✓] to ensure a smooth development environment.

5. Resolving warnings and error messages

Sometimes, when you run flutter doctor, warnings or error messages may appear. In this case, you need to understand each warning and error and find appropriate solutions.

5.1 Xcode related errors

If there are Xcode related errors, you should check if Xcode is updated to the latest version. Additionally, ensure that Xcode’s Command Line Tools are activated.

5.2 Android SDK related errors

If there are errors related to the Android SDK, you should verify whether the SDK is installed and if environment variables are set correctly. You can use Android Studio to open the SDK Manager and check if all necessary SDKs are installed.

5.3 Unconnected devices

If a warning appears in the connected devices item, you should check if the device is set to USB debugging mode and if it is connected correctly to the PC.

6. Automating environment checks with ‘flutter doctor’

To continue developing in Flutter projects over the long term, it is advisable to periodically run flutter doctor to check the development environment. This can also be used in CI/CD environments to verify that the development environment is set up correctly in each build process.

7. Conclusion

In this tutorial, we thoroughly explored the flutter doctor command. When setting up the Flutter development environment, this command can help detect initial setup errors in advance and lay the groundwork for smooth and efficient development.

In the future, we will cover various topics related to Flutter, and we plan to write articles that assist developers’ understanding. If you want to learn more about Flutter development, please look forward to the next tutorial!