The Flutter Code I Refuse to Write Anymore (And My Cleaner Alternatives)

I’ll be honest — my early Flutter code was a mess. This article highlights cleaner alternatives to common coding patterns in Flutter, helping developers write more maintainable and efficient applications. It covers improvements in areas such as form handling, state management, and API integration.

Why Clean Code Matters

Writing clean code is crucial for long-term project success. Reusable, maintainable, and testable code not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors. By adopting modern architectural patterns and leveraging pre-built packages, developers can focus on solving problems rather than reinventing the wheel.

Common Code Issues and Solutions

• Manual OTP TextFields:
• Problem: Boilerplate code and lack of built-in features.
• Solution: Use pinput or pin_input_text_field for streamlined OTP input.



• Manual Form Building:
• Problem: TextEditingController hell and manual validation.
• Solution: Utilize flutter_form_builder for built-in validators and easier scaling.



• setState() Overuse:
• Problem: Logic glued to UI, leading to un-testable code.
• Solution: Implement the Provider pattern with MVVM-style ViewModels for better separation of concerns.



• Manual JSON Parsing:
• Problem: Repetitive and error-prone JSON parsing.
• Solution: Adopt json_serializable for code generation.



• MediaQuery for Responsive Layouts:
• Problem: Scattered logic and broken layouts.
• Solution: Use LayoutBuilder with breakpoints for centralized layout management.



• Direct API Calls in Widgets:
• Problem: UI coupled with API logic and lack of reusability.
• Solution: Create an API Service Layer with ViewModels for better architecture and error handling.

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that the code you don't write is often more important than the code you do. Prioritize clean architecture, reusable components, and modern packages to build robust and maintainable Flutter applications. By focusing on solving problems efficiently, developers can deliver better software with less effort.