Access Native SDKs with Flutter

Accessing Native SDKs with Flutter

Flutter is an open-source, cross-platform mobile application development framework that provides developers with the ability to create applications for both Android and iOS from a single code base. One of the most important features of Flutter is its ability to access native SDKs. In this article, we'll take a look at what native SDKs are, what they can be used for, and how Flutter provides access to them.

What Are Native SDKs?

Native SDKs (Software Development Kits) are specialized software libraries that provide developers with access to specific capabilities and APIs that are not accessible through standard web technologies. For example, in order to use location services or in-app payments on an app, you will need access to a native SDK. Native SDKs typically require the developers to write platform-specific code, as opposed to a single, cross-platform code base.

Why Are Native SDKs Useful?

Native SDKs can be useful for a variety of reasons. They can give developers access to features and functions that might not be accessible through the standard APIs and frameworks available with web technologies. For example, native SDKs can include features such as location services, in-app purchases, augmented reality, and more. By having access to native SDKs, developers can create more powerful and dynamic applications that can better meet their user's needs.

How Does Flutter Provide Access to Native SDKs?

Flutter provides access to native SDKs in two ways: through the use of platform-specific plugins and through the use of platform-specific views. The platform-specific plugins enable developers to call APIs and utilize native functionalities directly from their cross-platform code without having to write additional platform-specific code. This means that developers can use a single code base to create apps for both Android and iOS, but still access native SDKs.

The other way that Flutter provides access to native SDKs is through the use of platform-specific views. A platform-specific view is a component of the Flutter framework that allows developers to embed a platform-specific UI element into their Flutter app. For example, to incorporate an Apple Pay button into an app, you would use an Apple Pay view rather than coding it up yourself. This makes it much easier for developers to incorporate native SDKs into their apps, without having to write a significant amount of code.

Conclusion

Flutter provides access to native SDKs in two different ways: through the use of plugins and through the use of platform-specific views. This makes it much easier for developers to create apps for both Android and iOS, while still being able to incorporate features that are not available through standard web technologies. Want to learn more about Flutter and native SDKs? Check out our other articles on the topic.