7.
Extension Methods
Written by Jonathan Sande
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Up to this point in the book, you’ve been writing your own classes and methods. Often, though, you use other people’s classes when you’re programming. Those classes may be part of a core Dart library, or they may be from packages on Pub. In either case, you don’t have the ability to modify them at will.
However, Dart has a feature called extension methods that allows you to add functionality to existing classes. Even though they’re called extension methods, you can also add other members like getters, setters or even operators.
Extension Syntax
To make an extension, you use the following syntax:
extension on SomeClass {
// your custom code
}
This should be located at the top level in a file, that is, not inside another class or function. Replace SomeClass with whatever class you want to add extra functionality to.
You may give the extension itself a name if you like. In that case, the syntax is as follows:
extension YourExtensionName on SomeClass {
// your custom code
}
You can use whatever name you like in place of YourExtensionName. The name is only used to show or hide the extension when importing it in another library.
Have a look at a few of the following examples to see how extension methods work.
String Extension Example
Did you ever make secret codes when you were a kid, like a=1, b=2, c=3, and so on? For this example, you’re going to make an extension that will convert a string into a secret coded message. Then you’ll add another extension method to decode it.
Solving in the Normal Way
First, solve the problem as you would with a normal function. Add the following to your project:
String encode(String input) {
final output = StringBuffer();
for (final codePoint in input.runes) {
output.writeCharCode(codePoint + 1);
}
return output.toString();
}
final original = 'abc';
final secret = encode(original);
print(secret);
Converting to an Extension
The next step is to convert the encode function above to an extension so that you can use it like so:
final secret = 'abc'.encoded;
extension on String {
String get encoded {
final output = StringBuffer();
for (final codePoint in runes) {
output.writeCharCode(codePoint + 1);
}
return output.toString();
}
}
final secret = 'abc'.encoded;
print(secret);
Adding a Decode Extension
Add the decoded method inside the body of the String extension as well:
String get decoded {
final output = StringBuffer();
for (final codePoint in runes) {
output.writeCharCode(codePoint - 1);
}
return output.toString();
}
Refactoring to Remove Code Duplication
Refactor your String extension by replacing the entire extension with the following:
extension on String {
String get encoded => _code(1);
String get decoded => _code(-1);
String _code(int step) {
final output = StringBuffer();
for (final codePoint in runes) {
output.writeCharCode(codePoint + step);
}
return output.toString();
}
}
Testing the Results
To make sure that everything works, test both methods like so:
final original = 'I like extensions!';
final secret = original.encoded;
final revealed = secret.decoded;
print(secret);
print(revealed);
J!mjlf!fyufotjpot"
I like extensions!
Int Extension Example
Here’s an example of an extension on int.
extension on int {
int get cubed {
return this * this * this;
}
}
print(5.cubed);
Uif!tfdsfu!up!mfbsojoh!Ebsu!xfmm!jt!up!dg"ewtkqwu"cpf"lwuv"vt{"vjkpiu0"Vlqfh#|rx*uh#uhdglqj#wklv/#wkdw#reylrxvo|#ghvfulehv#|rx1#Kssh$nsf%
Challenges
Before moving on, here’s a challenge to test your knowledge of extension methods. It’s best if you try to solve it yourself, but a solution is available with the supplementary materials for this book if you get stuck.
Challenge 1: Time to Code
Dart has a Duration class for expressing lengths of time. Make an extension on int so that you can express a duration like so:
final timeRemaining = 3.minutes;
Key Points
- Extension methods allow you to give additional functionality to classes that are not your own.
- Use extensions when they make sense, but try not to overuse them.