Dynamically generate widgets in Flutter - flutter

Question

I am trying to dynamically generate a set of widgets based on a particular condition. In this case I am trying to generate a list of RadioTiles
This is how I am trying to generate
List _listings = new List();
Widget _getListings() {
// TODO this will accept json objects in order to display the data
List listings = new List();
int i = 0;
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
listings.add(
new RadioListTile<SingingCharacter>(
title: const Text('Lafayette'),
value: SingingCharacter.lafayette,
groupValue: _character,
onChanged: (SingingCharacter value) {
setState(() {
_character = value;
});
},
),
);
}
// return listings;
}
and I am trying to display this within a stateful widget like this :
return new SafeArea(
child: Column(children: <Widget>[
new Padding(
padding: const EdgeInsets.all(20.0),
child: new Text(
"Verify and Select a Single Listing?",
style: _textStyle,
),
),
ListView(
shrinkWrap: true,
padding: const EdgeInsets.all(20.0),
children: <Widget>[
_getListings(),
],
),
]));
The issue is that the value of listings is null due to which I am unable to display any widgets on the screen.
Any insights would be useful.
Thanks,
Edit :
If I do try to return a list this is what I see:
I am not sure if this is the best way to dynamically create widgets.

Answer 1

Here are some updates to your code:
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return Scaffold(body: SafeArea(
child: Container(child: Column(children: <Widget>[
Padding(
padding: const EdgeInsets.all(20.0),
child: Text("Verify and Select a Single Listing?",),
),
Expanded(child: ListView(
padding: const EdgeInsets.all(20.0),
children: _getListings(), // <<<<< Note this change for the return type
),
)
])
)));
}
List _listings = new List();
List<Widget> _getListings() { // <<<<< Note this change for the return type
List listings = List<Widget>();
int i = 0;
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
listings.add(
RadioListTile<String>(
title: const Text('Lafayette'),
value: "c",
groupValue: "x",
onChanged: (_) {
},
),
);
}
return listings;
}
Some things to consider above:
I've made changes to make the code in order to compile and be used for this answer.
added comments for notable changes
List _listings is unused
you can also drop the new keyword when creating new objects (the new version of dart is able to handle this)
Result:

Answer 2

Some comments on the previous answer;
Please do not use unnecessary Containers, if a Container only has a child and nothing else, remove it.
The new keyword does not have to be used, Dart linters even tell not to use it. Like here..
Also if your list does not change you could use a List.unmodifiable like in the example below.
final List<Widget> widgets = List.unmodifiable(() sync* {
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
yield RadioListTile<String>(
title: const Text('Lafayette'),
value: "c",
groupValue: "x",
onChanged: (_) {
},
);
}
}());

Answer 3

This can be used to avoid unnecessary for loop. Doing the same thing in 2 lines
int numberOfWidgets = 5;
List<Widget> listings = List<Widget>.filled(numberOfWidgets, buildWidget());
This will make a list with exact number of widgets.
Also, this is only helpful if you want similar type of widget in a list