Flutter is a framework built on top of the Dart programming language. If you’ve not heard of the Dart language, you are not alone.
Dart is a newer language. It is an open source language, however it was initially developed by Google.
It is designed to allow someone to write code for both native applications as well as web clients (web browsers). This does mean that some code will not execute the same way between different target platforms. However, this should be relatively rare, and only when working at the extremes of the potential number values.
Open Source Projects
In a large successful open source projects there are a few things that are different from an open source project which may be abandoned over time.
First, just as with any open source project, anyone can make changes, and there is often list of suggested improvements and bug fixes that a developer can work from. Those projects might have a review process to accept or reject potential changes. This makes sure that the trajectory of the project stays on track, especially if there is a governing group for the project.
Secondly, the project usually is fairly mature before entering into open source. People rarely want to contribute to an “idea” unless they are starting it themselves. Most people want to feel that a project they are working on will be successful so having a mostly complete version will ensure this. To help this, often a project will have a corporate sponsor.
Now, these are not true in every case, but in many.
With Dart, Google started the language and was the initial corporate sponsor, and still does a lot of work on the project through assigning people and resources to the project. While the project does have an independent board, it is still heavily influenced by Google.
Open Source Languages
You’ve probably heard of open source software. However, you probably didn’t even think of open source languages. However, in many ways, the work the same way.
If you think about it, the IDE and compiler/interpreter that use is just software – software that makes other software. So if it’s a software project, it can be open sourced.
There is a large document (600+ pages) that the group has created that covers the language syntax and other important aspects, to ensure that the project behaves as designed. From there, everything has to be approved by the system.
This is important, as you want to make sure that a language is as consistent in it’s design as possible.
The working group also ensures that approved libraries meet the design guidelines.
Background on the Dart Programming Language was originally found on Access 2 Learn
