Creating and Compiling Executable Files with Dart

How to Install the Dart SDK

To use Dart, you need to first install the Dart SDK. The Dart SDK includes tools related to the Dart language. In this chapter, we will learn how to install the Dart SDK.

1.1 Download the Dart SDK

The Dart SDK can be downloaded from the official Dart website. After accessing the website, click the 'Get Dart' button to download the Dart SDK for various platforms.

1.2 Install the Dart SDK

Run the downloaded Dart SDK installer to install the Dart SDK. During the installation process, you can specify the installation path. By default, it is installed in the C:\Program Files\Dart\dart-sdk directory.

1.3 Set Environment Variables

After installing the Dart SDK, you need to set environment variables. Setting environment variables allows you to run Dart commands from anywhere. Set environment variables as follows:

1. Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables

2. In the System Variables section, find the 'Path' variable and click the 'Edit' button

3. Click the 'New' button and enter the path to the Dart SDK's bin folder

4. Click 'OK' to complete setting the environment variables

That covers how to install the Dart SDK. In the next chapter, we will learn how to create a Dart project.

How to Create a Dart Project

After installing the Dart SDK, you can create a Dart project. In this chapter, we will learn how to create a Dart project.

2.1 Create a Dart Project

To create a Dart project, run the following command in the terminal:

> dart create my_project

Running this command will create a Dart project named 'my_project'. You can use any name you want instead of 'my_project'.

2.2 Dart Project Structure

Creating a Dart project will generate the following directories and files:

my_project/
├── .dart_tool/
├── .packages
├── .gitignore
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── README.md
├── analysis_options.yaml
├── bin/
│   └── my_project.dart
├── lib/
├── pubspec.lock
└── pubspec.yaml

Here are the roles of each directory and file:

- .dart_tool/: Directory where files used by Dart tools are stored.

- .packages: File containing a list of packages used in the project.

- .gitignore: File containing a list of files to be ignored by Git version control.

- CHANGELOG.md: File for recording project change logs.

- README.md: File containing a description of the project.

- analysis_options.yaml: File for setting Dart code analysis options.

- bin/: Directory where Dart executable files are located.

- lib/: Directory where Dart library files are located.

- pubspec.lock: File containing the exact version information of packages used in the project.

- pubspec.yaml: File defining the project's metadata and dependencies.

That covers how to create a Dart project. In the next chapter, we will learn how to create a Dart executable file.

How to Create a Dart Executable File

After creating a Dart project, you can create a Dart executable file. In this chapter, we will learn how to create a Dart executable file.

3.1 Writing a Dart Executable File

A Dart executable file has a .dart extension. To create a Dart executable file, first create a .dart file in the bin directory. Write your Dart code inside this file.

3.2 Running a Dart Executable File

To run a Dart executable file, run the following command in the terminal:

> dart run bin/my_project.dart

Running this command will execute the 'my_project.dart' Dart executable file. You can use any Dart executable file name instead of 'my_project.dart'.

That covers how to create a Dart executable file. In the next chapter, we will learn how to compile a Dart executable file.

How to Compile a Dart Executable File

After creating a Dart executable file, you can compile the Dart executable file. In this chapter, we will learn how to compile a Dart executable file.

4.1 Compiling a Dart Executable File

To compile a Dart executable file, run the following command in the terminal:

> dart compile exe bin/my_project.dart

Running this command will compile the 'my_project.dart' Dart executable file and generate an executable file. You can use any Dart executable file name instead of 'my_project.dart'.

4.2 Running a Compiled Dart Executable File

To run a compiled Dart executable file, run the following command in the terminal:

> ./my_project.exe

Running this command will execute the 'my_project.exe' compiled Dart executable file. You can use any compiled Dart executable file name instead of 'my_project.exe'.

That covers how to compile a Dart executable file. This concludes the explanation.