Google has been working in Canonical to help expand the Flutter software system of the search giant to support Linux mobile applications. Flutter, which is primarily designed for mobile cross-platform applications, is a UI toolkit that uses the Dart language.
This has development support for Android and iOS, web apps with beta support (in which case Dart is translated to JavaScript), and macOS desktop apps with alpha support. The Linux alpha SDK released today leaves Windows as the least well-supported, while Windows support has been given an “early technical preview,”
Google says adding mobile support is a major challenge. This work involves comprehensive engine refactoring to allow mouse and keyboard input in desktop mode, as well as resizable top-level windows. Google’s Material Design supports and accesses OS features such as the system menu bar and standard dialogues.
In addition to developing Ubuntu Linux, Canonical also owns and runs the Snap Store, an app store that uses the Snap package format (which Canonical is also developing) for various Linux distributions. Snap packages are containerized and usually simpler to distribute than conventional Linux based applications, and support for Flutter on Linux should be a priority.
However, the Snap format will not be a requirement for Flutter apps, which is a good thing as the format has a mixed reputation with Linux users.
Google and Canonical are both working to ensure that Flutter apps on the web don’t all feel like half-baked mobile app ports. Flutter applications can still use menu bars, mouse and keyboard inputs, regular system dialogues, and resizable top-level windows, also in their current alpha state. An app development company can help businesses in getting started with their Flutter app development right away.
Since most of the code can be reused in Flutter, business’s don’t need to worry about high app developers salary. Since most of the cross-platform development can be done by using a small team of developers, business owners can be assured that they will be saving big on their app developers salary finances.
What’s New In Flutter?
Whilst Flutter grows to be a better platform, Google has opted to offer desktop-level experience. This experience involves engine refactoring to allow keyboard and mouse input in the Desktop style. Also, it includes resizable top-level windows and new user interface capabilities to fit well with the desktop.
All this ensures that Flutter is ready to handle full-size and fully featured desktop applications, in addition to being suitable for the mobile-style experience. Google and Canonical have jointly announced the launch of the Linux Alpha for Flutter to see more users harness Flutter.
It was only last year that an appdevelopmentcompany was able to start using Flutter to build mobile applications. By witnessing, that Canonical saw a wonderful opportunity to render Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, a hub for developers of Flutter apps.
As Flutter ‘s native cross-platform development was rapid, Canonical decided to be at the forefront. Canonical has made publishing their applications for Linux users very simple for the software developers through the Linux app store.
Because of Flutter’s Linux desktop support, this has become possible. As Linux has become a first-class Flutter platform, developers can create unique solutions that help extend the availability of the high-quality app to Linux users.
Installing Flutter on Linux
To make it straightforward for the Linux users, the Snap Store provides a Flutter SDK for Linux as a snap. The snap Flutter SDK has everything a developer needs to create Linux Flutter apps, ensuring that businesses do not incur huge financial implications due to high app developers salary.
All you need to do to make use of it is install the Flutter SDK snap and the IDE of your choice. After that, you have all you need to create and publish your Linux apps. For example, if you want to start creating the Flutter app for Linux and you have chosen Visual Studio Code as your IDE, then in the Linux terminal, all you need to do is execute the following commands:
- $ snap install –classic flutter
- $ snap install –classic code
- $ code –install-extension dart-code.flutter
Moreover, if these steps seem too much for you, there is always an app development company that can help you out. You will not only be saving on managing the development team, but you can also save big on the app developers salary.
Wrapping Up
Whether Flutter will take off on desktop platforms remains to be seen, especially because both Linux and macOS support is in an alpha stage and compatibility with Windows being much further behind. The electron has become the de-facto way of creating cross-platform software, for better or worse, but Electron does not have the same Android and iOS compatibility as Flutter does.
Canonical made it simple to use Flutter to create a Linux App. Linux users can now have reliable software for their devices because of this. If you are a business owner and want to have a cross-platform app that anyone using any method can use, then Flutter can be the best choice. Get in ouch with an app development company and get started with your Flutter app development.
