Initialize Flutter widget state with data - flutter

I have the following widget, which requires initializing with some data pulled from a DataClass class:
class FooWidgetState extends State<FooWidget> {
List<String> _someUsefulData;
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
_someUsefulData = DataClass.getUsefulData(context);
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Column(
children: _someUsefulData.map(_buildUsefulWidgets).toList(),
);
}
}
DataClass looks like this:
class DataClass {
static List<String> getUsefulData(BuildContext context) {
return [
BazLocalizations.of(context).usefulString1,
BazLocalizations.of(context).usefulString2,
];
}
}
and BazLocalizations is a class to retrieve localised strings.
The problem is that on running the above code, the following exception is thrown:
inheritFromWidgetOfExactType(_LocalizationsScope) or inheritFromElement() was called before FooWidgetState.initState() completed.
What I have tried:
Following the advice given here I wrapped the call in initState like this:
void initState() {
super.initState();
WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
_someUsefulData = DataClass.getUsefulData(context);
});
}
But then when I try to access _someUsefulData in the build widget, it is always null.

Since you are using the context to get to that data, you must get your data in the didChangeDependencies method, which gets call before the first build.
If you are using Provider you can check out this link: https://github.com/rrousselGit/provider#i-have-an-exception-when-obtaining-providers-inside-initstate-what-can-i-do
If you are not, the same concept applies to InheritedWidgets

Related

How to reload the page whenever the page is on screen - flutter

Is there any callbacks available in flutter for every time the page is visible on screen? in ios there are some delegate methods like viewWillAppear, viewDidAppear, viewDidload.
I would like to call a API call whenever the particular page is on-screen.
Note: I am not asking the app states like foreground, backround, pause, resume.
Thank You!
Specifically to your question:
Use initState but note that you cannot use async call in initState because it calls before initializing the widget as the name means. If you want to do something after UI is created didChangeDependencies is great. But never use build() without using FutureBuilder or StreamBuilder
Simple example to demostrate:
import 'dart:convert';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
void main() {
runApp(MaterialApp(home: ExampleScreen()));
}
class ExampleScreen extends StatefulWidget {
ExampleScreen({Key key}) : super(key: key);
#override
_ExampleScreenState createState() => _ExampleScreenState();
}
class _ExampleScreenState extends State<ExampleScreen> {
List data = [];
bool isLoading = true;
void fetchData() async {
final res = await http.get("https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/users");
data = json.decode(res.body);
setState(() => isLoading = false);
}
// this method invokes only when new route push to navigator
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
fetchData();
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(
body: Center(
child: isLoading
? CircularProgressIndicator()
: Text(data?.toString() ?? ""),
),
);
}
}
Some lifecycle method of StatefulWidget's State class:
initState():
Describes the part of the user interface represented by this widget.
The framework calls this method in a number of different situations:
After calling initState.
After calling didUpdateWidget.
After receiving a call to setState.
After a dependency of this State object changes (e.g., an InheritedWidget referenced by the previous build changes).
After calling deactivate and then reinserting the State object into the tree at another location.
The framework replaces the subtree below this widget with the widget
returned by this method, either by updating the existing subtree or by
removing the subtree and inflating a new subtree, depending on whether
the widget returned by this method can update the root of the existing
subtree, as determined by calling Widget.canUpdate.
Read more
didChangeDependencies():
Called when a dependency of this State object changes.
For example, if the previous call to build referenced an
InheritedWidget that later changed, the framework would call this
method to notify this object about the change.
This method is also called immediately after initState. It is safe to
call BuildContext.dependOnInheritedWidgetOfExactType from this method.
Read more
build() (Stateless Widget)
Describes the part of the user interface represented by this widget.
The framework calls this method when this widget is inserted into the
tree in a given BuildContext and when the dependencies of this widget
change (e.g., an InheritedWidget referenced by this widget changes).
Read more
didUpdateWidget(Widget oldWidget):
Called whenever the widget configuration changes.
If the parent widget rebuilds and request that this location in the
tree update to display a new widget with the same runtimeType and
Widget.key, the framework will update the widget property of this
State object to refer to the new widget and then call this method with
the previous widget as an argument.
Read more
Some widgets are stateless and some are stateful. If it's a stateless widget, then only values can change but UI changes won't render.
Same way for the stateful widget, it will change for both as value as well as UI.
Now, will look into methods.
initState(): This is the first method called when the widget is created but after constructor call.
#override
void initState() {
// TODO: implement initState
super.initState();
}
didChangeDependecies() - Called when a dependency of this State object changes.Gets called immediately after initState method.
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
super.didChangeDependencies();
}
didUpdateWidget() - It gets called whenever widget configurations gets changed. Framework always calls build after didUpdateWidget
#override
void didUpdateWidget (
covariant Scaffold oldWidget
)
setState() - Whenever internal state of State object wants to change, need to call it inside setState method.
setState(() {});
dispose() - Called when this object is removed from the tree permanently.
#override
void dispose() {
// TODO: implement dispose
super.dispose();
}
You don't need StatefulWidget for calling the api everytime the screen is shown.
In the following example code, press the floating action button to navigate to api calling screen, go back using back arrow, press the floating action button again to navigate to api page.
Everytime you visit this page api will be called automatically.
import 'dart:async';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
main() => runApp(MaterialApp(home: HomePage()));
class HomePage extends StatelessWidget {
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(
appBar: AppBar(),
floatingActionButton: FloatingActionButton(
onPressed: () => Navigator.push(context, MaterialPageRoute(builder: (_) => ApiCaller())),
),
);
}
}
class ApiCaller extends StatelessWidget {
static int counter = 0;
Future<String> apiCallLogic() async {
print("Api Called ${++counter} time(s)");
await Future.delayed(Duration(seconds: 2));
return Future.value("Hello World");
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(
appBar: AppBar(
title: Text('Api Call Count: $counter'),
),
body: FutureBuilder(
future: apiCallLogic(),
builder: (BuildContext context, AsyncSnapshot<String> snapshot) {
if (snapshot.connectionState == ConnectionState.waiting) return const CircularProgressIndicator();
if (snapshot.hasData)
return Text('${snapshot.data}');
else
return const Text('Some error happened');
},
),
);
}
}
This is the simple code with zero boiler-plate.
The simplest way is to use need_resume
1.Add this to your package's pubspec.yaml file:
dependencies:
need_resume: ^1.0.4
2.create your state class for the stateful widget using type ResumableState instead of State
class HomeScreen extends StatefulWidget {
#override
HomeScreenState createState() => HomeScreenState();
}
class HomeScreenState extends ResumableState<HomeScreen> {
#override
void onReady() {
// Implement your code inside here
print('HomeScreen is ready!');
}
#override
void onResume() {
// Implement your code inside here
print('HomeScreen is resumed!');
}
#override
void onPause() {
// Implement your code inside here
print('HomeScreen is paused!');
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(
body: Center(
child: RaisedButton(
child: Text('Go to Another Screen'),
onPressed: () {
print("hi");
},
),
),
);
}
}
If you want to make an API call, then you must be (or really should be) using a StatefulWidget.
Walk through it, let's say your stateful widget receives some id that it needs to make an API call.
Every time your widget receives a new id (including the first time) then you need to make a new API call with that id.
So use didUpdateWidget to check to see if the id changed and, if it did (like it does when the widget appears because the old id will be null) then make a new API call (set the appropriate loading and error states, too!)
class MyWidget extends StatefulWidget {
Suggestions({Key key, this.someId}) : super(key: key);
String someId
#override
State<StatefulWidget> createState() => MyWidgetState();
}
class MyWidgetState extends State<MyWidget> {
dynamic data;
Error err;
bool loading;
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
if(loading) return Loader();
if(err) return SomeErrorMessage(err);
return SomeOtherStateLessWidget(data);
}
#override
void didUpdateWidget(covariant MyWidget oldWidget) {
super.didUpdateWidget(oldWidget);
// id changed in the widget, I need to make a new API call
if(oldWidget.id != widget.id) update();
}
update() async {
// set loading and reset error
setState(() => {
loading = true,
err = null
});
try {
// make the call
someData = await apiCall(widget.id);
// set the state
setState(() => data = someData)
} catch(e) {
// oops an error happened
setState(() => err = e)
}
// now we're not loading anymore
setState(() => loading = false);
}
}
I'm brand new to Flutter (literally, just started playing with it this weekend), but it essentially duplicates React paradigms, if that helps you at all.
Personal preference, I vastly prefer this method rather than use FutureBuilder (right now, like I said, I'm brand new). The logic is just easier to reason about (for me).

Flutter bloc pattern repeat calling function many times

i am trying to use bloc pattern in flutter application i write the code inside body of build function before return Scaffold(); as following
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
final ProductsController pController = Provider.of<ProductsController>(context);
pController.addProducts();
return Scaffold();
}
every thing is perfect but the function
addPrducts() calls too many times it looks the following code repeat it self many times
pController.addProducts();
here is the structure of ProductsContoller class
class ProductsController extends ChangeNotifier {
List<Products> _products=List();
AppDatabase appDB=AppDatabase();
List<Products> get products=>_products;
addProducts() {
appDB.getFromTable(AppDatabase.TBL_PRODUCTS).then((rows){
rows.forEach((row){
Products product=Products.fromJson(row);
_products.add(product);
});
notifyListeners();
});
}
}
If your function should only get called once u should try to override the initState() Method and call it there. If your class extends a StatefulWidget your build(BuildContext context) Method possibly gets called multiple times.
final ProductsController pController
#override
void initState() {
pController = Provider.of<ProductsController>(context);
pController.addProducts();
super.initState();
}
If you want to do some operation like fetching screen data only once in the stateful widget then you can make use of void didChangeDependencies() along with the boolean flag.
didChangeDependencies() is also called immediately after initState.
Also called when a dependency of this State object changes. It is safe to call BuildContext.dependOnInheritedWidgetOfExactType from this method.
final ProductsController pController
var _isLoadingForFirstTime = true;
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
}
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
if (_isLoadingForFirstTime) {
pController = Provider.of<ProductsController>(context);
pController.addProducts();
}
_isLoadingForFirstTime = false;
super.didChangeDependencies();
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(); // You Screen contents here
}
you must define your widget that used your list in other classes (stateful or stateless).
for example, if you use List in ListView, you must create a stateless class for your ListView and watch list in this class.
class ProductList extends StatelessWidget {
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return GridView.builder(
gridDelegate: SliverGridDelegateWithMaxCrossAxisExtent(
maxCrossAxisExtent: 260,
childAspectRatio: 3 / 4.6,
),
itemCount: context.watch<ProductsController >().productPjo.listProduct.length,
shrinkWrap: true,
itemBuilder: (_, i) {
return ItemProduct(context.watch<ProductsController >().productPjo.listProduct[i]);
},
);
}
}

Get InheritedWidget parameter in initState

i need some help understanding how to obtain data from inherited widget.
I usually get the parameter from my widget directly from the build method using
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
//THIS METHOD
var data = StateContainer.of(context).data;
return Container(child:Text("${data.parameter}"));
}
But this method cant be called from initState since there is no buildContext yet.
I need in the initState method to have that parameter (i call my fetch from server in that and i need to pass that data to my function), so, how should i do it?
#override
void initState() {
otherData = fetchData(data);
super.initState();
}
I tried using didChangeDipendencies() but it is called every time the view is rebuilt (popping from screen, etc.) so it is not what i want to use and neither the FutureBuilder widget.
Any suggestion?
First, note that you probably do want to use didChangeDependencies. But you can't just do your call there without any check. You need to wrap it in an if first.
A typical didChangeDependencies implementation should look similar to:
Foo foo;
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
super.didChangeDependencies();
final foo = Foo.of(context);
if (this.foo != foo) {
this.foo = foo;
foo.doSomething();
}
}
Using such code, doSomething will be executed only when foo changes.
Alternatively, if you are lazy and know for sure that your object will never ever change, there's another solution.
To obtain an InheritedWidget, the method typically used is:
BuildContext context;
InheritedWidget foo = context.inheritFromWidgetOfExactType(Foo);
and it is this method that cannot be called inside initState.
But there's another method that does the same thing:
BuildContext context;
InheritedWidget foo = context.ancestorInheritedElementForWidgetOfExactType(Foo)?.widget;
The twist is:
- this method can be called inside initState
- it won't handle the scenario where the value changed.
So if your value never changes, you can use that instead.
1, If you only need InheritedWidget as a Provider of parameter for Widget.
You can using on initState as bellow:
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
var data = context.ancestorInheritedElementForWidgetOfExactType(type)?.widget;
}
2, If you need listener to re-render widget when data of InheritedWidget change. I suggest you wrapper your StatefulWidget insider a StatelessWidget,
parameter of StatefulWidget is passed from StatelessWidget, when InheritedWidget change data, it will notify to StatelessWidget, on StatefulWidget we will get change on didChangeDependencies and you can refresh data.
This is code guide:
class WrapperDemoWidget extends StatelessWidget {
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
DemoData data = StateContainer.of(context).data;
return Container();
}
}
class ImplementWidget extends StatefulWidget {
DemoData data;
ImplementWidget({this.data});
#override
_ImplementWidgetState createState() => _ImplementWidgetState();
}
class _ImplementWidgetState extends State<ImplementWidget> {
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
//TODO Do sth with widget.data
}
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
super.didChangeDependencies();
//TODO Do change with widget.data
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Container();
}
}
I prefer the solution with didChangeDependencies because Future.delayed solution is a bit hack, looks unprofessional and unhealthy. However, it works out of the box.
This is the solution I prefer:
class _MyAppState extends State<MyApp> {
bool isDataLoaded = false;
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
if (!isDataLoaded) {
otherData = fetchData(data).then((_){
this.isDataLoaded = true;
});
}
super.didChangeDependencies();
}
...
You can also get the context in initState, try using a future with duration zero. You can find some examples here
void initState() {
super.initState();
Future.delayed(Duration.zero,() {
//use context here
showDialog(context: context, builder: (context) => AlertDialog(
content: Column(
children: <Widget>[
Text('#todo')
],
),
actions: <Widget>[
FlatButton(onPressed: (){
Navigator.pop(context);
}, child: Text('OK')),
],
));
});
}
i use it to make loading screens using inherited widgets and avoid some global variables

Unhandled Exception: inheritFromWidgetOfExactType(_LocalizationsScope) or inheritFromElement() was called before _ScreenState.initState() completed

I am calling initial method to load data from API using initState. But it is resulting me an error. Here is error:
Unhandled Exception: inheritFromWidgetOfExactType(_LocalizationsScope) or inheritFromElement() was called before _ScreenState.initState() completed.
When an inherited widget changes, for example if the value of Theme.of() changes, its dependent widgets are rebuilt. If the dependent widget's reference to the inherited widget is in a constructor or an initState() method, then the rebuilt dependent widget will not reflect the changes in the inherited widget.
My code is:
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
this._getCategories();
}
void _getCategories() async {
AppRoutes.showLoader(context);
Map<String, dynamic> data = await apiPostCall(
apiName: API.addUser,
context: context,
parameterData: null,
showAlert: false,
);
if(data.isNotEmpty){
AppRoutes.dismissLoader(context);
print(data);
}else {
AppRoutes.dismissLoader(context);
}
}
You need to call _getCategories after initState has completed.
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
Future.delayed(Duration.zero, () {
this._getCategories();
});
// Could do this in one line: Future.delayed(Duration.zero, this._getCategories);
}
Also, you could do this on a different way, using addPostFrameCallback.
To make this task easier, you could create a mixin to be added to StatefulWidgets.
mixin PostFrameMixin<T extends StatefulWidget> on State<T> {
void postFrame(void Function() callback) =>
WidgetsBinding.instance?.addPostFrameCallback(
(_) {
// Execute callback if page is mounted
if (mounted) callback();
},
);
}
Then, you just need to plug this mixin to you page, like that:
class _MyPageState extends State<MyPage> with PostFrameMixin {
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
postFrame(_getCategories);
}
}
Use the didChangeDependencies method which gets called after initState.
For your example:
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
}
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
super.didChangeDependencies();
this._getCategories();
}
void _getCategories() async {
// Omitted for brevity
// ...
}
Adding a frame callback might be better than using Future.delayed with a zero duration - it's more explicit and clear as to what is happening, and this kind of situation is what frame callback was designed for:
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) async {
_getCategories();
});
}
an alternative is to put it inside PostFrameCallback which is between initState and Build.
#override
void initState() {
WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => getData());
super.initState();
}
getData() async {
}
There are many ways to solve this problem, override initState method:
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
// Use any of the below code here.
}
Using SchedulerBinding mixin:
SchedulerBinding.instance!.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
// Call your function
});
Using Future class:
Future(() {
// Call your function
});
Using Timer class:
Timer(() {
// Call your function
});
The best solution i think is use the context from the Widget build. And paste the method _getCategories(context) after the build with the context from the tree.
So there is no problem with the widget tree.

initialize data once in initState and call the setState when data is ready causes exception

Since flutter calls the build method many times in different condition, to avoid getting the data many times, I initialize the data in initState.
I want to re-build the widget when the data is ready.
Here is my code :
class Test extends StatefulWidget {
#override
_TestState createState() => new _TestState();
}
class _TestState extends State<Test> {
Data data;
bool dataReady = false;
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
getData(context).then((Data data) async {
setState(() {
dataReady= true;
});
});
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
if (dataReady) {
return createMainContent(context);
} else {
return new Container();
}
}
}
However, it results in following exception :
inheritFromWidgetOfExactType(_InheritedProvider) or inheritFromElement() was called before _TestState.initState() completed.
May I know am I doing something wrong here?
When I add the following line to implementation of getData(context)
await Future.delayed(new Duration(milliseconds: 300));
the exception does not happen.
For everyone coming here at a later point
It is best to use the #override void didChangeDependencies () method of the State class.
From the docs
This method is also called immediately after initState. It is safe to call BuildContext.inheritFromWidgetOfExactType from this method.
But make sure to check if you have already performed your initialization
#override
void didChangeDependencies() {
super.didChangeDependencies();
if (bloc == null) { // or else you end up creating multiple instances in this case.
bloc = BlocProvider<MyBloc>.of(context);
}
}
Edit: Better answer below.
Apparently, you cannot access getData(context) during initState (more concrete: before it completed).
The reason, so I believe, is that getData tries to look up an InheritedWidget ancestor up in the tree, but the tree is just now being built (your widget is created during the parent widget's build).
The obvious solution would be to delay getData's lookup to a later point in time. There are several ways to achieve that:
Delay the lookup to a later time. scheduleMicrotask should work fine.
Look it up during the first build call. You could have an isInitialized field set to false and in you build, something like:
if (!isInitialized) {
isInitialized = true;
// TODO: do the getData(...) stuff
}
an alternative is to put it inside PostFrameCallback which is between initState and Build.
#override
void initState() {
WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => getData());
super.initState();
}
getData() async {
}
I moved my code to my build method from initState and it worked
class _TestState extends State<Test> {
Data data;
bool dataReady = false;
#override
void initState() {
super.initState();
}
#override
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
getData(context).then((Data data) async {
setState(() {
dataReady= true;
});
});
if (dataReady) {
return createMainContent(context);
} else {
return new Container();
}
}
}