Setup

The following instructions assume a Windows environment.

Prerequisites

• Download and install Git. This is used to download the Flutter SDK.

  • Go to: https://gitforwindows.org.

  • Download.

  • Install.

• Download and install Android Studio. We will not be using Android Studio, but we need its SDK and emulator.

  • Go to: https://developer.android.com/studio.

  • Download.

  • Install.

  • Run, follow the wizards: accept conditions, download tools, etc.

  • Open Android Studio and create a (dummy) new project.

  • Wait for it to finish synching.

  • On the right pane, click on “Running Devices".

  • Click on the plus to add a virtual device. Choose an architecture that your desktop/laptop can handle. If in doubt, choose a small phone with an old Android version such as Android 10.

Flutter

• Install and set upVisual Studio Code. This is the IDE that we shall use.

  • Go to: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs?dv=win

  • Install.

• Install Flutter extension in VS Code.

  • Launch VS Code.

  • In the left pane, click on Extensions (the icon that looks like a bunch of blocks).

  • Search for: Flutter.

  • You get a list of extensions, choose the (first) one labelled "Dart Code".

  • Click “install".

• Install the Flutter SDK.

  • Open the Command Palette by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P or by going to the burger menu and choosing View -> Command Palette.

  • Type “flutter", and choose: Flutter: New Project.

  • You will get an error popup message at the bottom right corner asking you to download the Flutter SDK. Click on "Download SDK".

  • You will be prompted to enter folder for the Flutter SDK. Don’t install Flutter to a directory or path that meets one or both of the following conditions: (i) the path contains special characters or spaces, and (ii) the path requires elevated privileges. For example, C: Program Files fails both conditions.

  • Click “Add SDK to Path".

• Accept Android licenses.

  • From an elevated command prompt, run: flutter doctor –android-licenses.

  • You will be prompted to accept licenses: Review licenses that have not been accepted (y/N)?

  • Choose “y", and accept the licenses one by one.

• Run fultter doctor to learn about issues

  • In an elevated prompt run: flutter doctor.

Common Pitfalls

• Flutter SDK not in the path, add it. Go to Windows Settings, and search for Environment Variables, and add Flutter SDK to the user path

• Android command-line tools not installed, add them: Android Studio -> Menu -> Tools -> Languages and Frameworks -> Android SDK -> SDK Tools (on right) -> Android SDK Command line tools -> Apply.

First App

• Run Visual Studio Code.

• Open command palette (Ctrl+shift+P) and type flutter, and choose Flutter : New Project -> Application.

• Choose folder for the app files.

• A project will be created and you will see the main.dart file.

• To run the code, click on the “triangle" on right. The first time you run, you will asked to choose the target platform.

  • If you choose Chrome, you will see your app in Chrome.

  • If you choose an AVD (and Android Virtual Device that you have already set up in Android Studio), you will see your app on the AVD.

  • You can also plug in your own phone, and choose it as target.

    • Your device must first be recognizable by Windows.

    • Plug in your device, and make sure that USB debugging and file transfer are enabled.

    • If your computer is just an old disguised calculator, you should perhaps use your device instead of the emulator.