Using Dart with AngularDart for Web

AngularDart is a powerful framework for building web applications using the Dart programming language. It combines the declarative style of Angular with Dart's features, allowing developers to create robust, maintainable, and reactive web applications. This guide will introduce you to AngularDart and how to use it effectively.

Key Features of AngularDart
 

1. Component-Based Architecture

AngularDart promotes a component-based architecture, enabling you to build applications using reusable components. Each component encapsulates its own logic, styles, and template, making development more modular and manageable.

2. Dependency Injection

AngularDart provides a robust dependency injection system, which facilitates the management of services and promotes separation of concerns. This helps in writing testable and maintainable code.

3. Reactive Programming

AngularDart leverages Dart's reactive programming features, making it easy to handle asynchronous data streams and build responsive UIs.

4. Strong Typing

Since AngularDart is built on Dart, you benefit from strong typing and compile-time checks, which help catch errors early in the development process.

5. Rich Ecosystem

AngularDart has a rich ecosystem of libraries and tools, including support for routing, forms, HTTP requests, and more, making it a comprehensive choice for web development.

Getting Started with AngularDart
 

1. Setting Up Your Environment

To get started with AngularDart, you need to have the Dart SDK installed. You can follow the official Dart installation guide for detailed instructions.

2. Creating a New AngularDart Project

You can create a new AngularDart project using the Dart command-line tool. Open your terminal and run:

dart create -t web-angular my_angular_app

This command creates a new directory called my_angular_app with the AngularDart project structure.

3. Project Structure Overview

A typical AngularDart project contains the following directories:

• lib/: Contains the Dart code for your application, including components and services.
• web/: Contains the HTML and other assets for your application.
• test/: Contains tests for your application.
• pubspec.yaml: A configuration file for managing dependencies and package information.

4. Writing Your First AngularDart Component

Open the lib directory and locate the app_component.dart file. This file defines the root component of your application. Here’s an example of a simple component:

import 'package:angular/angular.dart';

@Component(
  selector: 'my-app',
  template: '''
    <h1>Hello AngularDart!</h1>
    <button (click)="sayHello()">Say Hello</button>
  ''',
)
class AppComponent {
  void sayHello() {
    print('Hello from AngularDart!');
  }
}

5. Bootstrapping the Application

In the lib/main.dart file, bootstrap your AngularDart application by importing the necessary packages and calling the bootstrap function:

import 'package:angular/angular.dart';
import 'app_component.template.dart' as ng;

void main() {
  runApp(ng.AppComponentNgFactory);
}

6. Running the Application

To run your AngularDart application, you can use the following command:

dart run build_runner serve

This command starts a development server and opens the application in your browser.

7. Adding Routing

AngularDart supports routing, allowing you to navigate between different views in your application. To add routing, you need to import the angular_router package in your pubspec.yaml and configure routes in your application.

Example of Adding Routing

1. Add Dependency:

dependencies:   angular: ^6.0.0   angular_router: ^4.0.0 

2. Define Routes:

In a new file, create a routes.dart file:

import 'package:angular_router/angular_router.dart';
import 'app_component.dart';

final List<RouteDefinition> routes = [
  RouteDefinition(
    path: '/',
    component: AppComponentNgFactory,
  ),
];

3. Configure Router:

Update your main.dart file to use the router:

import 'package:angular/angular.dart';
import 'package:angular_router/angular_router.dart';
import 'app_component.template.dart' as ng;
import 'routes.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(ng.AppComponentNgFactory, createInjector: injector);
}

InjectorFactory get injector => ([parent]) => Injector.map({
  Router: Router(),
  RouteProvider: RouteProvider(),
}, parent);

8. Building Forms

AngularDart provides powerful tools for building forms, including reactive forms and template-driven forms. You can use the FormsModule to create and manage forms easily.

Conclusion

AngularDart is a powerful framework for building web applications with Dart. Its component-based architecture, dependency injection, and reactive programming capabilities make it a great choice for modern web development. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up and create your first AngularDart application. As you explore further, you'll discover a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries that can help you build robust web applications efficiently.