Problem Statement
How do you choose the right state management approach for your Flutter app? Compare different options.
Explanation
Start with setState for truly local state that only one widget needs - counters, form fields, simple toggles, or UI-only state like expanded/collapsed. SetState is simplest and most direct when state doesn't need sharing. Don't prematurely optimize by introducing complex state management when setState suffices. Many Flutter apps overuse state management solutions for state that should be local.
Use InheritedWidget or ValueNotifier directly for simple data propagation to a small subtree without much complexity. For example, theme configuration for a specific feature or local shared state between a few related widgets. These are middle ground between setState and full state management, offering sharing without heavy frameworks.
Choose Provider for most apps needing shared state because it's officially recommended, has great Flutter integration, is easy to learn, and scales well from simple to complex apps. Provider works with ChangeNotifier for simple mutable state, Stream for reactive data, and Future for async data. It provides dependency injection, making testing easy. Use Provider unless you have specific reasons to choose alternatives.
Consider Bloc for complex apps with significant business logic, need for clear separation between presentation and logic, or team preference for reactive streams. Bloc enforces unidirectional data flow and works well for large teams. Consider Riverpod for type-safety advantages over Provider and when you want compile-time safety. Consider GetX if you want minimal boilerplate and built-in navigation/dependency injection, though it's more opinionated.
Factors influencing choice include app complexity (simple setState, complex Provider/Bloc), team experience and preferences, testability requirements, separation of concerns needs, and performance requirements. Most apps do well with Provider. Don't overthink it - start simple and migrate if needed.
Practice Sets
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