ForbidDateTimeNow class

Lint rule that forbids using DateTime.now() in production code.

This rule enforces the use of the custom Clock interface from libraries/time/interfaces/clock.dart instead of direct DateTime.now() calls. This is essential for:

  • Deterministic testing: Tests can control the current time
  • Widget testing: Time-dependent widgets can be tested reliably
  • Mocking: Time can be easily mocked in unit and integration tests

Exception: DateTime.now() is allowed in system_clock_impl.dart where the Clock implementation is defined.

Example of code that triggers this rule:

final currentTime = DateTime.now();  // LINT: Use clock.now() instead

Example of correct usage:

import 'libraries/time/interfaces/clock.dart';

// Inject clock via constructor or use dependency injection
final Clock clock;
final currentTime = clock.now();  // OK - testable
Inheritance

Constructors

ForbidDateTimeNow()

Properties

analyzer → BaseAnalyzer
no setteroverride
code → LintCode
The LintCode that this LintRule may emit.
finalinherited
enabledByDefault → bool
Whether the lint rule is on or off by default in an empty analysis_options.yaml
no setterinherited
filesToAnalyze → List<String>
A list of glob patterns matching the files that run cares about.
no setterinherited
hashCode → int
The hash code for this object.
no setterinherited
runtimeType → Type
A representation of the runtime type of the object.
no setterinherited

Methods

getFixes() → List<Fix>
Obtains the list of Fix associated with this LintRule.
inherited
isEnabled(CustomLintConfigs configs) → bool
Checks whether this lint rule is enabled in a configuration file.
inherited
noSuchMethod(Invocation invocation) → dynamic
Invoked when a nonexistent method or property is accessed.
inherited
run(CustomLintResolver resolver, ErrorReporter reporter, CustomLintContext context) → void
Emits lints for a given file.
inherited
startUp(CustomLintResolver resolver, CustomLintContext context) → Future<void>
Emits lints for a given file.
inherited
testAnalyzeAndRun(File file) → Future<List<AnalysisError>>
Analyze a Dart file and runs this assist in test mode.
inherited
testRun(ResolvedUnitResult result, {Pubspec? pubspec}) → Future<List<AnalysisError>>
Runs this assist in test mode.
inherited
toString() → String
A string representation of this object.
inherited

Operators

operator ==(Object other) → bool
The equality operator.
inherited