Flutter package: flutter_super


Super

Pub Pub points verygoodanalysis License: MIT Coverage


Super is a state management framework for Dart that aims to simplify and streamline the development of reactive and scalable applications.


Features

  • Reactive state management.
  • Simple dependency injection.
  • Intuitive testing, dedicated testing library super_test.

Table of Contents


Getting Started

Add Super to your pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  dart_super:

Import the Super package into your project:

import 'package:dart_super/dart_super.dart';

Usage

Counter App Example

The main.dart file serves as the entry point for the application. It sets up the necessary framework for the project by calling the Super.activate() method , which enables the Super framework.

void main() {
  Super.activate(); // Activate the Super framework

  // Declare a state object
  final count = 0.rx;

  // The method used in the addListener method will be called
  // every time the state changes.
  rxWatch(() => print(count.state), stopWhen: () => count.state > 3);

  // Increment the state
  count.state++; // prints '1'
  count.state++; // prints '2'
  count.state++; // prints '3'
  count.state++; // doesn't print
}

By using the rxWatch method on the state object, we will be able to listen to changes in the state. When the state changes the given callback will be called.


Super Framework APIs

SuperController

A mixin class that provides a lifecycle for controllers used in the application.

The SuperController mixin class allows you to define the lifecycle of your controller classes. It provides methods that are called at specific points in the controller's lifecycle, allowing you to initialize resources, handle events, and clean up resources when the controller is no longer needed.

Example usage:

class SampleController extends SuperController {
  final _count = 0.rx; // RxInt(0);
  final _loading = false.rx; // RxBool(false);

  int get count => _count.state;
  bool get loading => _loading.state;

  void increment() {
    _count.state++;
  }

  void toggleLoading() {
    _loading.state = !_loading.state;
  }

  @override
  void onDisable() {
    _count.dispose(); // Dispose Rx object.
    _loading.dispose();
    super.onDisable();
  }
}

In the example above, SampleController extends SuperController and defines a count variable that is managed by an Rx object. The increment() method is used to increment the count state. The onDisable() method is overridden to dispose of the Rx object when the controller is disabled.
As seen in the SampleController above, a controller may contain multiple states required by it's corresponding widget, however, for the sake of keeping a controller clean and focused, if there exists a state with multiple events, it is recommended to define an RxNotifier for that state.

Important: It is recommended to define Rx objects as private and only provide a getter for accessing the state. This helps prevent the state from being changed outside of the controller, ensuring that the state is only modified through defined methods within the controller (e.g., increment() in the example).


SuperModel

A class that provides value equality checking for classes. Classes that extend this class should implement the props getter, which returns a list of the class properties that should be used for equality checking.

Example usage:

class UserModel with SuperModel {
  UserModel(this.id, this.name);

  final int id;
  final String name;

  @override
  List<Object> get props => [id, name]; // Important
}

final _user = UserModel(1, 'Paul').rx;
final user2 = UserModel(1, 'Paul');

_user.state == user2; // true
_user.state = user2; // Will not trigger a rebuild

Rx Types

RxT

A reactive container for holding a state of type T.

The RxT class is a specialization of the Rx class that represents a reactive state. It allows you to store and update a state of type T and automatically notifies its listeners when the state changes.

Example usage:

final _counter = RxT<int>(0); // same as RxInt(0) or 0.rx 

void increment() {
  _counter.state++;
}

// Adding a listener to the state object
_counter.addListener(() {
  print('Counter changed: ${_counter.state}');
});

// Updating the state
_counter.increment(); // This will trigger the listener and print the updated state.

RxT SubTypes

  • RxInt
  • RxString
  • RxBool
  • RxDouble

It is best used for local state i.e state used in a single controller.

Note: When using the RxT class, it is important to call the dispose() method on the object when it is no longer needed to prevent memory leaks. This can be done using the onDisable method of your controller.


RxNotifier

An abstract base class for creating reactive notifiers that manage a state of type T.

The RxNotifier class provides a foundation for creating reactive notifiers that encapsulate a piece of immutable state and notify their listeners when the state changes. Subclasses of RxNotifier must override the initial method to provide the initial state and implement the logic for updating the state.

Example usage:

CounterNotifier get counterNotifier => Super.init(CounterNotifier());

class CounterNotifier extends RxNotifier<int> {
  @override
  int initial() {
    return 0; // Initial state
  }

  void increment() {
    state++; // Update the state
  }
}

// Adding a listener to the notifier
counterNotifier.addListener(() {
  print('Counter changed: ${counterNotifier.state}');
});

// Updating the state
counterNotifier.increment(); // This will trigger the listener and print the updated state.

Asynchronous State

An RxNotifier can also be used for asynchronous state.

By default the loading state is set to false so that none asynchronous state can be utilized.

Example usage:

BooksNotifier get booksNotifier => Super.init(BooksNotifier());

class BooksNotifier extends RxNotifier<List<Book>> {
  @override
  List<Book> initial() {
    return []; // Initial state
  }

  void getBooks() async {
    toggleLoading(); // set loading to true
    state = await booksRepo.getBooks(); // Update the state
  }
}

It is best used for global state i.e state used in multiple controllers but it could also be used for a single controller to abstract a state and its events e.g if a state has a lot of events, rather than complicating the controller, an RxNotifier could be used for that singular state instead.

Important: Unlike in the example above, it is important to make use of an error handling approach such as a try catch block or the .result extension when dealing with asynchronous requests, this is so as to handle exceptions which may be thrown from the asynchronous method.

Note: When using the RxNotifier class, it is important to call the dispose() method on the object when it is no longer needed to prevent memory leaks. This can be done using the onDisable method of your controller.


Rx Collections

These are similar to RxT but do not require the use of .state, they extend the functionality of the regular dart collections by being reactive.

  • RxMap
  • RxSet
  • RxList

Dependency Injection

of

Retrieves the instance of a dependency from the manager and enables the controller if the dependency extends SuperController.

Super.of<T>();

init

Initializes and retrieves the instance of a dependency, or creates a new instance if it doesn't exist.

Super.init<T>(T instance);

create

Creates a singleton instance of a dependency and registers it with the manager.

Super.create<T>(T instance);

delete

Deletes the instance of a dependency from the manager.

Super.delete<T>();

deleteAll

Deletes all instances of dependencies from the manager.

Super.deleteAll();

Additional Information

API Reference

For more information on all the APIs and more, check out the API reference.


Requirements

  • Dart 3: >= 3.0.0

Maintainers


Dev Note

With Super, you can build robust and scalable dart applications while maintaining clean and organized code. The framework strives to adhere to the high standards in terms of readability, documentation, and usability.

Give Super a try and experience a streamlined approach to state management in Dart!

I hope you find the Super framework as pleasing and easy to work with as I intended it to be. If you have any feedback or suggestions for improvement, please don't hesitate to reach out. Happy coding!

Best regards, DrDejaVu


Credits

All credits to God Almighty who guided me through the project.

Libraries

dart_super
Super is a state management framework for dart that aims to simplify and streamline the development of reactive and scalable applications. It provides a set of tools and abstractions to manage state and handle side effects in a declarative and efficient manner.