Author Archives: Sander Roest

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Logging

The importance and usage of logging is for Line Of Business apps different than for consumer apps. Consumer apps Collect application crashes/warnings Narrow down problems to specific manufacturers, hardware, os versions Get insights on how much the app is installed/used across the globe Get insights on how the app is used Get insights on howContinue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Logging”

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Async initialization of services during startup

Startup phases: Bootstrapping the native platform code Bootstrapping the Flutter code Normal application state where user interaction is allowed Bootstrapping the native platform code The first thing that happens when a Flutter app starts, is the bootstrapping of the native platform code. This piece is responsible for showing the splash screen and creating a containerContinue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Async initialization of services during startup”

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Local datastore, SQLite

History At the time I was programming apps for Windows CE and Windows Mobile, we used SQL CE. It integrated nicely with the Visual Studio tooling at that time and it was easy to work with. The downside of SQL CE was the likelihood of database corruption. The corruption could occur if the battery wasContinue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Local datastore, SQLite”

Using Flutter for Line Of Business apps – State management with provider

History When I started exploring Flutter, there was (and there still is) a lot of discussion about state management. At that time, Google promoted Inherited Widget as the way to propagate information down the widget tree. I tried Inherited Widget, and indeed with some extra code, you could use it to make your state accessibleContinue reading “Using Flutter for Line Of Business apps – State management with provider”

Flutter for Line of Business apps – Splash screens and launch icons

Adding splash screens and launch icons is always a pain. It must be done, and, it must be done right. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Luckily I had a UX designer that provided all the assets in the right sizes. Because I had all assets in the right sizes, IContinue reading “Flutter for Line of Business apps – Splash screens and launch icons”

Flutter for Line Of Business app – Theming

When you receive a design from a UX designer, from for example Zeplin, everything is specified: Colors Fonts (Name, Size, Style) Margins and padding of the elements As in the Flutter counter-sample project, I started in my project with changing the primary color: But then I quickly realized that the primary color is a specificContinue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business app – Theming”

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Assets, where to put what

I am good at programming, but not good at drawing and designing icons. Also, it is better to have the theming of the app and layout of the screens to be done by a visual designer. A professional, who knows how to create a consistent look and feel, and to make the app visually attractive.Continue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Assets, where to put what”

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Development tools and target device

When I started on this project I had to choose the development environment to work with. The two obvious development environments for creating Flutter apps are: Android Studio Visual Studio Code I did not want to introduce too many variables and decided to stick with Android Studio. Both Android Studio and Flutter come from Google,Continue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Development tools and target device”

Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Design phase

The design phase defines for a large part if a project will be successful. If the design has flaws, the implementation will have flaws. If the design is not clear, the customer’s vision will almost always be different than yours. If the design is not complete, the customer will argue that the missing parts mustContinue reading “Flutter for Line Of Business apps – Design phase”