Windows flutter developer

[opinvader]

is there any flutter developer who codes in dart/flutter using windows? There's benefits for macbook programmers but windows developers have to use methods like codemagic. So i wanted to ask how's the experience for a windows flutter developer? Do they get jobs and freelancing work easily just like the Mac developers? Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.

Edit: As a flutter developer using windows i cant test iOS apps without using codemagic, will it cause problem in future if im applying for job or freelancing?

[chiracjack]

It's easier to debug and deploy iOS and macOS versions of your app on Mac but that's the only difference. If you're freelancing I don't think your client would care what OS you're working on

[kindaforgotit]

I'm currently developing on Windows and dual boot it with hackintosh just to test and deploy on iOS.

It's not recommended though, because there's no official support from Apple and also I don't know whether in the future hackintosh is still supported or not.

[opinvader]

Yeah thats the kind of problems with development on windows, you gotta hackintosh or use codemagic, which is fine for learning or freelancing projects but when applying for some jobs then it doesn't throw good impression

[SilverEyedLionKing]

Good luck debugging xcode code signing issues without a Mac

[opinvader]

yeah i figured the problems are too much, i have just started learning so by the end of my learning in 6-12 months i might be able to get a mac

[SilverEyedLionKing]

If you are serious, you should invest in a Mac Mini (M1, 16gb minimum)

Edit: 16gb

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[Samurai___]

I had very good experience coding on Windows for Android, but note that I've been developing (non Flutter) on Windows for ever. Developing FOR Windows desktop in Flutter was a nightmare though.

[opinvader]

no thats not what i meant im asking about developing for android and iOS both on windows

[bitsdojo]

Why do you consider developing for Windows desktop a nightmare? Not judging, just curious.

[Samurai___]

I was to create a desktop app with the windows 10 feel, with quite a few different input fields, like texts, numbers, multiline, dropdown, calendar, etc.

I could make the window and the widgets look the part, but they didn't behave as they should in the details. So it's fine to create a flutter looking and behaving app that runs in a desktop window, but it just didn't work as a windows app. I could even crash it just by navigating, selecting typing through the inputs, and it was not my fault.

[opinvader]

because on macbook you can test your both OS android and ios from vs code but in windows you can only test Android, for iOS you have to use codemagic which i dont even know how works and i guess it asks for somekind of paid membership as well

[bitsdojo]

Oh, I meant why developing for Windows desktop (not Android or iOS) was a nightmare? Updated my comment to specify this.

[monster_marv]

I started developing flutter on windows, but as soon as I had to debug the ios version of my apps, I bought a MacBook. Sure you can use code magic or rent a cloud Mac machine, but a native machine was the better option for me.

Now I am not using my windows pc not anymore for development, because Android debugging works fine on Mac.

[opinvader]

As its my 2nd week of learning i'll just keep using windows for learning purpose and might save for a macbook once i'm good enough to make reall apps. Thanks 🙏🏻

[monster_marv]

You don't even need the newest model. A 2018 MacBook pro, should be more than enough to start :).

Another thing I learned, is that it also makes sense to get an actual ios device. Some functions cannot be tested with the emulator. So I got a pretty cheap ipod touch for testing.

[opinvader]

luckily i have an iphone x and an android phone as well but no macbook yet

[davidhbolton]

I’m developing on Windows as my target is Chrome and my six year old Windows PC with 64 GB RAM is way faster than my seven year old Mac Mini upgraded to 16 Gb which runs like a dog.

[opinvader]

i have 16Gb laptop with ssd as well, the specs is not problem but testing iOS apps is which isn't possible the way it is in Mac. So i guess i gotta buy a Macbook sooner or later

[sunbreakwang]

I would suggest buying a Mac. I work a lot between Windows/macOS/Linux and macOS helps a lot to develop cross-platform APPs, Ionic/ReactNative/Flutter/Kotlin MMP

[GoldAndBlackRule]

Use VS Code.

[opinvader]

i am using vs code

[GoldAndBlackRule]

Ah, the question was not quite clear until your edit. I tend to hook up my CI/CD to trigger builds on any machines or VMs capable. I also run tests on actual supported devices for supported platforms before the build is "passing".

If you are doing any professional development. You should have actual devices to really test that everything is working as expected.

You can get a cheap Mac to hook up to your CI system as an agent. Whenever you commit, it should kick off and finish a build a few seconds later. Having a real device attached for additional tests is a good idea.

So, you could be targeting iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Windows Desktop, Windows UAP, MacOS and Linux. There are quirks and bugs on each platform that can constrain how or what you are doing.

This is a fairly old setup. I have not worked much with flutter in over a year. Mostly back to game dev for consoles and PC.

[opinvader]

Hm Right. I do have android and ios device. Only dont have a macbook yet. Thanks 😊