Developing applications using Flutter, Google’s UI toolkit, necessitates a suitable Integrated Development Environment (IDE). While many developers associate Flutter with a particular IDE, the necessity of that specific environment is a nuanced topic. Alternatives exist, and the selection often depends on developer preference and project requirements.
The historical alignment of Flutter with a certain IDE stems from its initial development and the comprehensive tooling provided within that ecosystem. This IDE offers built-in support for Flutters hot reload feature, debugging tools, and a wealth of plugins designed to streamline the development workflow. The availability of these features significantly accelerates the development process and enhances overall productivity. However, it is not the sole method for Flutter development.