Accessing Static Members

Accessing Static Members

About

• Class Reference: Accessed via class name
• Inheritance: Not polymorphic
• Visibility: Public/private rules apply
• Import Aliases: Affects access syntax

Main Topics

1. Basic Access

   • Definition: Class name prefix
   • Example:

     print(MathConstants.pi);
     StringUtils.capitalize('text');

2. Within Class

   • Definition: Omitting class name

   • Example:

     class Counter {
       static int _count = 0;
     
       Counter() {
         _count++; // No class name needed
       }
     }

3. Inheritance

   • Definition: Static shadowing

   • Example:

     class Parent {
       static String name = 'Parent';
     }
     
     class Child extends Parent {
       static String name = 'Child'; // Shadows Parent.name
     }

4. Import Aliases

   • Definition: Affected by as

   • Example:

     import 'package:utils.dart' as utils;
     
     void main() {
       utils.StringUtils.capitalize('text');
     }

5. Visibility Rules

   • Definition: Library-private statics
   • Example:

     class _Internal {
       static String _secret = 'data';
     }

How to Use

• Organization: Group related statics
• Naming: Clear class names
• Access: Use full class name
• Documentation: Explain usage

How It Works

1. Resolution: At compile time
2. Binding: Static to class
3. Performance: Direct access
4. Scope: Lexical rules apply

Example:

class ColorPalette {
  static const Color primary = Color(0xFF6200EE);
  static const Color secondary = Color(0xFF03DAC6);

  static List<Color> get allColors => [primary, secondary];
}

void main() {
  final buttonColor = ColorPalette.primary;
  final availableColors = ColorPalette.allColors;
}

Conclusion

Accessing static members in Dart follows clear rules using class name qualification. While they don’t participate in inheritance polymorphism, statics provide efficient class-level functionality that can be organized, documented, and accessed in a consistent manner throughout your codebase.