How to Implement Flutter with Node.js?

While Node.js is a robust and scalable JavaScript runtime environment that can be used to create server-side applications, Flutter is a well-known open-source framework for building cross-platform mobile applications. This article will examine how to integrate Node.js and Flutter to develop robust, full-stack mobile applications.

It’s vital to note that Node.js is a server-side technology, not one that can be utilized directly in mobile applications before we move on. However, we can build strong backends that Flutter-built mobile applications can take advantage of by utilizing the power of Node.js through APIs and web services.

Step 1: Setting Up the Node.js Server

Setting up a backend server that the mobile application can interact with is the first step in integrating Flutter with Node.js. We’ll utilize Express.js, a widespread web framework, along with Node.js to do this.

Start by implementing the following command to install the Express.js package and establish a new Node.js project:

npm install express

Next, add the following code to a fresh server.js file:

const express = require('express')
const app = express()
const port = 3000
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
 res.send('Hello World!')
})
app.listen(port, () => {
 console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}`)
})

This code creates a fundamental Express.js server that listens on port 3000 and simply replies “Hello World!” to requests.

Run the following command in your terminal to test the server:

node server.js

Step 2: Building the Flutter App’s API

After setting up a straightforward Node.js server, we can now construct an API that the Flutter app development may use to interact with the server. We’ll make an easy API for this example that returns a list of books.

Your server.js file should now contain the following code:

const books = [
 {id: 1, title: 'Alice in Wonderland', author: 'Lewis Carrol'},
 {id: 2, title: 'Around the World in eighty days', author: 'Jules Verne'},
 {id: 3, title: 'Utopia', author: 'Sir Thomas Moor'},
]
app.get('/api/books', (req, res) => {
 res.json(books)
})

The above programme sets up an API endpoint at /api/books that returns the array of book objects as JSON and produces an array of book objects.

Run the server using the ‘node server.js’ command and open your web browser to http://localhost:3000/api/books to test the API. The list of books needs to appear in JSON format.

Step 3: Integrating the API with Flutter

We are able to integrate the Node.js server and API with a Flutter mobile application after they have been set up. To accomplish this, we’ll send HTTP requests to the API using the http package.

We will first develop a model for the book data.

class Book {
  final int id;
  final String title;
  final String author;
  Book({required this.id, required this.title, required this.author});
  factory Book.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) {
    return Book(
      id: json['id'],
      title: json['title'],
      author: json['author'],
    );
  }
}

In this illustration, a class called Book is defined to represent a book by its author, title, and ID.

Add the following code to the lib/main.dart file after that:

import 'dart:convert';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
void main() => runApp(BookApp());
class BookApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context){
    return MaterialApp(
      home: BooksScreen(),
    );
  }
}
class BooksScreen extends StatefulWidget {
@override
_BooksScreenState createState() => _BooksScreenState();
}
class _BooksScreenState extends State<BooksScreen> {
  List<Book> _books = [];
  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    _fetchBooks();
  }
  Future<void> _fetchBooks() async {
    final response = await http.get(Uri.parse('http://localhost:3000/api/books'));
    if (response.statusCode == 200) {
      final List<dynamic> json = jsonDecode(response.body);
      setState(() {
      _books = json.map((item) => Book.fromJson(item)).toList();
      });
    } else {
      throw Exception('Failed to load books');
    }
  }
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(
        title: Text('Books'),
      ),
      body: ListView.builder(
        itemCount: _books.length,
        itemBuilder: (BuildContext context, int index) {
          return ListTile(
            title: Text(_books[index].title),
            subtitle: Text(_books[index].author),
          );
        },
      ),
    );
  }
 }

The BooksScreen widget is defined in the code above, and it retrieves the list of books from the /api/books API endpoint and displays them in a ListView.builder. Every JSON object from the API response is changed into a Book object using the Book.fromJson function.

We employ the ListView.builder widget, which accepts a ‘itemCount’ and a ‘itemBuilder’ callback, to show the list of books. Each item in the list receives a call to the itemBuilder callback, and the itemCount is set to the length of the _books list. We return a ListTile widget with the book’s title and author in the itemBuilder callback.

We have to start the Node.js server that provides the API before deploying the Flutter application on a virtual machine or physical hardware. The following commands need to be entered into the terminal in order to do that:

$ node server.js
$ flutter run

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Conclusion

In conclusion, developers may create full-stack applications that take advantage of the advantages of both technologies by integrating Node.js and Flutter. Developers can develop robust and scalable applications that give a smooth user experience across all platforms by leveraging Node.js for the backend and Flutter for the front end.

If you want guidance on integrating Node.JS with Flutter, get in touch with a reputable mobile app development company. Our Flutter app experts will provide you with helpful advice and assist you in creating a top-notch app that caters to your target market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use Flutter and NodeJS?

You are able to quickly integrate Node.js framework with Build Flutter apps using Buddy CI/CD to automate your development and produce better apps more quickly.

2. Which backend fits Flutter the best?

You may host your Flutter web applications using the static server for Golang. The server may be created quickly and easily because just a tiny bit of code is needed. As a result, you receive all the advantages of the Golang backend for both mobile and web apps.

3. What is the ideal code architecture for Flutter?

You may use popular architectures like MVC or MVVM. However, because Flutter is widget-centric and slightly distinct from other programming languages, BLoC is often considered as the most outstanding Flutter architecture.

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