returning a String when getting error: type 'Future<dynamic>' is not a subtype of type 'String' - flutter

Question

I can't work out how to return a string from a function in Dart (a Flutter app).
I am using SharedPreferences to capture input from the user. I have two functions, one to save preferences:
save(key, value) async {
final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
prefs.setString(key, value);
print('saved $value');
}
and one to read preferences:
read(key) async {
final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
final value = prefs.getString(key) ?? 0;
print('$value');
}
This is working, but when I try to replace the print line with a return:
read(key) async {
final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
final value = prefs.getString(key) ?? 0;
return('$value');
}
to return a string for the value, it throws an error:
type 'Future' is not a subtype of type 'String'
I have tried calling it many MANY different ways, but can't figure out what I assume is an incredibly basic problem. I noticed in some posts that this is a suggested solution, which works to print out the value, but I don't want to print it, i want it as a String variable:
read(mykey).then((value) => '$value');
I need to combine the value with other some other string values and make some minor manipulations (so printing it isn't helpful)
UPDATE
I have defined the function as #Stijn2210 suggested, but am still having problems getting the output i need.
Future<String> read(key) async {
final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
final value = await prefs.getString(key) ?? '';
return value;
}
When I call this function from my app (this is a simplified snippet):
void onDragEnd(DraggableDetails details, User user) {
final minimumDrag = 100;
Future<String> myvalue;
if (details.offset.dx > minimumDrag) {
user.isSwipedOff = true;
save(user.imgUrl, 'Dog');
}
myvalue = read(user.imgUrl);
print(myvalue);
It's printing :
Instance of 'Future'
Whereas I want myvalue to be 'Dog'... Appreciate any insights!!
Really appreciate your answer #Stijn2202
Solution was to edit the method definition:
Future<void> onDragEnd(DraggableDetails details, User user) async
and then call the read function from the method with this:
final String myvalue = await read(user.imgUrl);

Answer 1

getString is a Future, which you can handle by using await or as you are doing, using then
However, in my opinion using await is your better option. This would look like this:
Future<String> getMyString() async {
final prefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
final value = await prefs.getString(key) ?? '';
// Don't use 0, since it isnt an int what you want to return
return value;
}
EDIT:
based on your code snippet, this is how you should call your read method:
Future<void> onDragEnd(DraggableDetails details, User user) async {
final minimumDrag = 100;
if (details.offset.dx > minimumDrag) {
user.isSwipedOff = true;
save(user.imgUrl, 'Dog');
}
final String myvalue = await read(user.imgUrl);
print(myvalue);
}
Now I'm not sure if onDragEnd is actually allowed to be Future<void>, but let me know if it isn't

Answer 2

Just await for the value. It will return Dog and not instance of Future.
String someName=await myvalue;
As the value is Future, await keyword will wait until the task finishes and return the value