Once you’ve set up the Dart SDK, you can run Dart code using several methods. Here’s an overview of running Dart code using DartPad, Command Line Interface (CLI), or an IDE like Visual Studio Code.

1. Running Dart Code with DartPad

DartPad is an online tool that allows you to write, run, and test Dart code directly in a web browser without needing any installation. It’s especially useful for learning and quickly experimenting with Dart.

• How to Use DartPad:
  1. Open DartPad in a browser.
  2. You’ll see a code editor where you can write your Dart code.
  3. Click Run to execute the code. The output appears in the console pane at the bottom.
• Pros: No setup required; great for quick tests and sharing code snippets.
• Cons: Limited to smaller projects and lacks access to certain libraries or local files.

2. Running Dart Code from the Command Line Interface (CLI)

The CLI is a powerful way to run Dart code, especially for quick scripts and smaller programs. It uses the Dart SDK directly and doesn’t require an IDE.

• Steps to Run Dart Code via CLI:

  1. Open a terminal (or command prompt on Windows).
  2. Navigate to the directory where your Dart file is located.
  3. Use the dart run command to execute the file. For example:

     dart run your_file.dart
     

     Replace your_file.dart with the name of your Dart file.

• Creating a New Dart Project:

  • For larger projects, you can create a Dart project with dart create:

    dart create my_project
    

  • This will create a folder named my_project with a basic Dart structure. You can navigate into it and run the main file with:

    cd my_project
    dart run
    

• Pros: Quick and efficient for scripts; ideal for server-side and CLI applications.

• Cons: Lacks advanced IDE features like code completion, making it less ideal for complex applications.

3. Running Dart Code in an IDE (e.g., Visual Studio Code)

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides a complete environment for writing, running, and debugging Dart code. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular choice because of its extensions and support for Dart and Flutter.

• Setting Up Dart in VS Code:

  1. Install Visual Studio Code.
  2. Open VS Code and go to Extensions (the square icon in the sidebar).
  3. Search for and install the Dart extension by Dart Code.
  4. Optionally, if working with Flutter, install the Flutter extension as well.

• Running Dart Code in VS Code:

  1. Open your Dart file or project in VS Code.
  2. Open the Terminal in VS Code (View > Terminal).
  3. Run your Dart file by entering:

     dart run your_file.dart
     

  4. Alternatively, with the Dart extension, you can simply click Run or use the debug tools to execute the code.

• Debugging:

  • Set breakpoints by clicking in the margin next to a line number.
  • Use the Debug panel to start, pause, and inspect variables during code execution.

• Pros: Provides code completion, debugging, project management, and more.

• Cons: Requires setup and may be heavier than simpler editors for small scripts.

Summary

• DartPad: Best for quick experiments and learning.
• CLI: Great for simple scripts, testing, and command-line applications.
• IDE (VS Code): Ideal for larger projects with debugging, code completion, and other advanced features.

These tools offer different ways to run Dart code, making it flexible to use depending on your project needs and preferences.