My first experience with Flutter

As a web developer, I'm always on the lookout for tools and frameworks that can streamline development without compromising on either the developer experience (DX) or overall project quality. Recently, I ventured into the world of Flutter for the first time, and I have to say, it left quite an impression. My goal was simple: build a proof of concept (POC) as quickly as possible, with a strong focus on delivering great DX. What I discovered was a framework that allowed me to move fast while maintaining a high level of quality.

Why Flutter?

When it came to choosing the right framework for my POC, Flutter immediately caught my attention. I had worked with React Native about four years ago on an old project. While I got it working in the end, the DX wasn’t great, and it felt like I had to jump through some hoops to get certain things working properly. (Disclaimer: this was four years ago, so I can't speak on the current state of React Native.)

That being said, I wanted to find something with a better community and developer experience. That's where Flutter came into play. I had heard many great things about it and decided to give it a try.

The Project:

Though the project is still under review, I can share some details. The app is a lookup tool for mounts in the game World of Warcraft. It uses the Blizzard API to look up a user profile, after which it displays the collected and uncollected mounts. For this POC, I focused on usability and performance, ensuring users can get what they need in just a few taps.

Since I wanted this to be both a technical exploration and a test of Flutter development, I came up with the idea and jumped in headfirst. Thanks to Flutter, I was able to get something up and running quickly, which allowed me to spend more time focusing on the logic, such as caching and security.

Great DX with Flutter:

One of the highlights of working with Flutter was how it naturally supports good DX. It was fun working with it and Flutter’s architecture allowed for quick iterations, which was essential for getting the POC up and running.

• Ready-made widgets sped up development significantly. I didn’t have to build things like buttons, input fields, or layouts from scratch, which allowed me to focus on the more unique aspects of the app.

• Hot reload made it incredibly easy to see changes instantly. This feature really accelerated the development process, allowing me to tweak designs and functionality without waiting for long compile times.

• Extensive documentation and a helpful community made overcoming challenges much easier. Whenever I got stuck, finding solutions was fast, whether through official docs or community forums.

Creating a POC with Flutter:

Building a proof of concept can be tricky—it’s all about balancing speed and quality. With Flutter, I found that balance much easier to achieve than other options i worked with in the past.

Flutter’s component-driven approach meant that I could modularize parts of the app quickly, which made it easier to make changes without breaking other areas of the code. This let me focus on the unique aspects of the app without getting bogged down in boilerplate code.

Of course, there were some challenges along the way. Navigating Flutter’s structure as a first-time user took some getting used to, but after a short time working with it, I'd quickly found my rhythm.

In short, Flutter enabled me to create a fully functional, well-designed POC in record time. It’s an ideal framework for developers looking for a great DX without compromising on quality or performance.

Final Thoughts:

My first adventure into Flutter was a resounding success. I walked away with a strong understanding of how powerful the framework is—not just for building fast, but for providing a smooth and enjoyable development experience. The POC I created is still under review, but I’m excited about the future potential of Flutter in my projects. (Keep an eye on my projects page for more!)

Looking forward, I can definitely see myself using Flutter to create more ambitious projects.

If you’re looking for someone who can deliver high-quality, user-focused applications in a short time frame, I’d love to chat about opportunities! Flutter has opened up new possibilities for me, and I’m excited to explore them further in future projects.