Dart is a statically typed language, which means variable types are known at compile-time. This feature enhances code reliability and performance. Let's explore static typing in Dart and its advantages.
Static typing requires developers to declare variable types explicitly. The Dart compiler checks these types before runtime, catching potential errors early in the development process.
In Dart, you can declare types for variables, function parameters, and return values. Here's a simple example:
String greeting = 'Hello, Dart!';
int age = 25;
double pi = 3.14159;
void printInfo(String name, int year) {
print('$name was born in $year');
}
bool isEven(int number) {
return number % 2 == 0;
}
Dart also supports type inference, allowing you to omit type annotations when the compiler can determine the type:
var message = 'Hello'; // Inferred as String
var count = 42; // Inferred as int
var items = ['apple', 'banana', 'orange']; // Inferred as List<String>
Dart's static typing system includes support for generics, allowing you to create type-safe collections and classes:
List<int> numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
Map<String, double> prices = {'apple': 0.99, 'banana': 0.59};
class Box<T> {
T value;
Box(this.value);
}
Box<String> stringBox = Box('Hello');
Box<int> intBox = Box(42);
Dart's static typing system includes null safety, which helps prevent null reference errors:
String? nullableString = null; // Can be null
String nonNullableString = 'This cannot be null';
int? nullableInt;
int nonNullableInt = nullableInt ?? 0; // Provide a default value
By mastering static typing in Dart, you'll write more robust and maintainable code. It's a powerful feature that, when used effectively, can significantly improve your Dart programming experience.