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Alejandro Carrazana

State management in Flutter. Concepts and types of approaches.

How can I ensure that changes to variables within my application are effectively reflected in the user interface? Is it possible to isolate business logic from presentation logic in my application?


All of this can be achieved through state control in Flutter. In this article, we will be exploring the concept of state, ways to control state natively and with the use of packages provided by third parties.


Introduction to States in Flutter


In Flutter, states are a way to describe the behavior of an application at any given moment. Each widget in Flutter has an associated state that can change in response to user events or changes in the data model. The state can be simple, like a number or a string, or more complex, like a complex object with several fields.


Flutter has an automatic user interface update mechanism in response to changes in the state, which means that when the state of a widget changes, the widget is automatically updated. This allows Flutter developers to write cleaner and easier-to-follow code, as they don't have to worry about manually updating the user interface when the state changes.


Widgets in Flutter are divided into two types: static widgets and stateful widgets. Static widgets have no associated state and are rendered in the same way each time they are requested. Stateful widgets, on the other hand, have an associated state that can change and are rendered differently depending on the state.


What is State Management in Flutter?


State management in Flutter is the process by which the state of a Flutter application is controlled and managed. The state of an application can be anything from the values of a form field to the information in a database, and its management is essential for creating functional and user-friendly applications.


In Flutter, states can be managed in several ways, including:

  • Using StatefulWidget and StatelessWidget

  • Using a combination of StatefulWidget and StatelessWidget

  • Using third-party packages such as Provider, BLoC, ScopedModel, Redux, MobX, among others.

All of these methods allow developers to create applications that automatically adapt to changes in the state. Additionally, these mechanisms allow for creating widgets that are automatically updated when the state changes, making it easy for the user interface and data model to stay in sync.


There is a tutorial video available on state management in Flutter, which you may find helpful.


Types of Packages for Managing States in Flutter


There are several packages available in Flutter for state management. Some of the most popular ones are:

  • Provider: This is a widely-used package for state management in Flutter. It's easy to use and integrates well with the application design pattern.

  • Flutter Bloc: This is another popular package for state management in Flutter. It's a bit more complex than Provider, but it also provides greater control over the flow of data in the application.

  • ScopedModel: This is a package similar to Provider, but with a focus on code reuse and state organization.

  • Redux: This is a state management package based on the Redux design pattern, which originated in JavaScript.

  • MobX: This is a state management package based on the MobX design pattern, which also originated in JavaScript.

  • Riverpod: This is a package similar to Provider, but with a focus on cleaner, easier-to-follow syntax.

  • GetX: This is a state management package with a focus on scalability and easy implementation. It also offers easy navigation and some additional functionalities.

Each of these packages has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's recommended to choose the one that best suits your project's needs.


In general, state management in Flutter is essential for creating stable and user-friendly applications. It allows developers to create applications where the state is automatically updated in response to changes in the data model, making it easy to create attractive and user-friendly interfaces.


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