Dart is a client-optimized programming language developed by Google. It is used to build web, mobile, desktop, and server applications. Dart is designed to be a replacement for JavaScript and has a syntax that is familiar to developers who have worked with Java, C#, or JavaScript. The language has a rich standard library, supports both object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, and has strong typing and garbage collection.

Getting Started with Dart

To get started with Dart, you will need to install the Dart SDK. You can download the latest version from dart-sdk. After installing the SDK, you can use the Dart Editor or an IDE such as Visual Studio Code to write your Dart code.

Basic Syntax

Dart uses a C-style syntax, with some differences. Here are a few of the key features of Dart syntax:

• Dart is case-sensitive.

• Dart uses curly braces to define code blocks.

• Dart uses semi-colons to separate statements, but they are optional if each statement is on a separate line.

• Dart uses single quotes or double quotes to define strings.

Variables and Data Types

In Dart, you can use variables to store data. To declare a variable, you use the "var" keyword followed by the name of the variable and an optional value. For example:

//Type inference.
var name = "John Doe";

//Type can be specified.
String name = "John Doe";

Dart has several built-in data types, including numbers, strings, booleans, lists, and maps. For example:

//int
var age = 32;
//bool
var isMarried = true;
//array
var hobbies = ["reading", "traveling", "cooking"];
///map
var personalInfo = {"name": "John Doe", "age": 32, "isMarried": true};

Functions

Functions are blocks of code that can be called multiple times. To declare a function in Dart, you use the "void" or return type followed by the name of the function and a set of parentheses. For example:

void printHello() {
  print("Hello");
}

// return string
String getString() { 
 return "This is a string";
}

Classes and Objects

In Dart, you can use classes to define objects and their properties and methods. To declare a class, you use the "class" keyword followed by the name of the class. For example:

class Person {
  String name;
  int age;
  Person(this.name, this.age);

  void printInfo() {
    print("Name: $name, Age: $age");
  }
}

To create an instance of a class, you can use following syntax:

var john = Person("John Doe", 32);
john.printInfo();

Conclusion

Dart is a modern, client-optimized programming language that is designed to be easy to learn and use. With its familiar syntax, rich standard library, and support for both object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, Dart is a great choice for building web, mobile, desktop, and server applications.

Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting, Dart is a language that is worth considering for your next project.

Read further:

Dart Official docs