Flutter in cross platform development : tools, performance and optimization

Abstract

Mobile development has undergone changes in recent years, as companies aim to reach broader target audiences and expand their solutions. Cross-platform mobile application development has emerged as a solution, utilizing various frameworks and platforms. Cross-platform approaches are popular due to their ability to streamline development processes and create applications that more easily reach wider audiences.

The purpose of this study was to examine Flutter, Google’s answer to cross-platform development. The study was conducted as a literature review where relevant academic sources were used to gather information on the tools and core concepts of Flutter, the performance of the applications developed with Flutter and possible optimization techniques for application performance.

The findings of the study revealed that various optimization strategies can be employed to enhance performance. The most critical strategies involve the efficient use of widgets—the building blocks of user interfaces—and careful handling and coding of the methods used to construct them. Regarding performance, the study found that Flutter applications achieve strong performance, primarily due to its rendering engine, which eliminates unnecessary intermediary layers between the application and the target device.

The study expressed Flutter’s rapid evolvement as a limitation. Newer versions may address some of the limitations highlighted, such as app size and memory use. Longitudinal studies examining the impact of these updates would provide valuable insights into Flutter’s long-term adaptability, the suggested area for future research.