Dart - 13 - Abstraction

Abstraction in Dart Programming

Abstraction is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows developers to hide the complex implementation details of an object and present only the essential features. In Dart, a versatile and modern programming language, abstraction plays a pivotal role in creating clear, maintainable, and efficient code. In this discussion, we’ll explore the significance of abstraction in Dart, understand how it works, and see practical examples of its use.

Understanding Abstraction

Abstraction is the process of simplifying complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, manageable components. It involves the creation of abstract classes or interfaces that define a set of methods or properties, leaving the specific implementation to the concrete classes that inherit from them. Abstraction allows developers to focus on what an object does rather than how it does it.

Abstract Classes in Dart

In Dart, abstraction is often achieved using abstract classes. An abstract class serves as a blueprint for other classes but cannot be instantiated itself. It defines a set of abstract methods that must be implemented by its concrete subclasses.

Here’s an example of an abstract class in Dart:


abstract class Shape {
    double area();
}

In this example, the Shape abstract class defines an abstract method area, which any concrete subclass must implement.

Implementing Abstraction

To implement abstraction, developers create concrete classes that inherit from the abstract class and provide concrete implementations of its abstract methods. These concrete classes are responsible for defining how the methods of the abstract class work.

Here’s an example of a concrete class implementing the Shape abstract class:


class Circle extends Shape {
    double radius;

    Circle(this.radius);

    @override
    double area() {
        return 3.14 * radius * radius;
    }
}

Use of Interfaces

Dart also supports abstraction through the use of interfaces. An interface defines a contract of methods and properties that implementing classes must adhere to. Unlike abstract classes, Dart allows a class to implement multiple interfaces, providing greater flexibility.

Here’s an example of an interface in Dart:


class CanFly {
    void fly();
}

class Bird implements CanFly {
    @override
    void fly() {
        print('Bird is flying');
    }
}

Benefits of Abstraction

Abstraction offers several advantages in Dart programming:

Simplified Code: Abstraction simplifies code by hiding complex implementation details and focusing on essential features.
Modularity: It encourages code modularity, allowing for the creation of interchangeable components.
Extensibility: Abstraction makes code more extensible by defining contracts that new classes must adhere to.
Maintainability: Abstract classes and interfaces improve code maintainability by reducing dependencies between components.

Abstract Properties

In addition to abstract methods, Dart allows abstract properties to be defined in abstract classes. An abstract property defines a contract for the getter and setter methods that concrete classes must implement.

Here’s an example of an abstract property in Dart:


abstract class Vehicle {
    String get brand;
    set brand(String value);
}

Any concrete class inheriting from Vehicle must provide a getter and setter for the brand property.

Conclusion

Abstraction is a key concept in Dart that promotes code simplicity, modularity, extensibility, and maintainability. Whether achieved through abstract classes or interfaces, abstraction enables developers to focus on defining what an object should do rather than the specifics of how it accomplishes the task. By embracing abstraction, you can create more organized and efficient code in Dart.

Dart – 13 – Abstraction