Flutter is not limited to mobile and web development; you can also use it to build desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to get started with Flutter for desktop development and create a simple desktop app that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following installed:
Flutter: Install Flutter on your machine by following the instructions in the official Flutter documentation: Install Flutter.
Desktop Enablement: Ensure that you've enabled desktop development for Flutter. Run the following commands in your terminal:
This code creates a simple Flutter web app with a button and a text widget.
Step 2: Run the Desktop App
To run your Flutter desktop app, use the following command:
flutter run
This command will start your app, and it will work on the desktop platform you're currently using (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Step 3: Test the Desktop App
You can interact with your desktop app just like you would with any regular desktop application. Click the "Click me!" button to test your app.
Part 3: Build and Distribute the Flutter Desktop App
Step 1: Build the Desktop App
To build your Flutter desktop app for distribution, use the following command:
flutter build
Replace '<platform>' with the platform you want to build for: 'windows', 'macos', or 'linux'. For example:
flutter build windows
This command generates optimized executable files in the 'build/<platform>/' directory.
Step 2: Distribute the Executable
You can distribute the executable file generated in the 'build/<platform>/' directory as you would with any native desktop application. Here are some common methods:
Windows: Distribute the '.exe' file.
macOS: Create a DMG file or distribute the '.app' bundle.
Linux: Distribute the binary file for the appropriate Linux distribution.
You've successfully created a Flutter desktop app, tested it locally, and learned how to build and distribute it for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Flutter for desktop development allows you to build cross-platform desktop applications with a single codebase, expanding the reach of your applications to desktop users. You can now explore more advanced features and build full-fledged desktop applications with Flutter.