Mixins vs Interfaces in Dart

Mixins and interfaces are two important concepts in Dart programming that are used to define the behavior of classes. While both mixins and interfaces are used to define a contract between classes, they differ in their implementation and usage.

interface

An interface is a blueprint for a class that defines a set of methods and properties that the class must implement. In Dart, an interface is defined using the abstract keyword. A class can implement multiple interfaces, and it must implement all the methods and properties defined in each interface. Interfaces are used to define a contract between classes, and they are useful when you want to define a common set of methods and properties that multiple classes can implement.

Mixin

On the other hand, a mixin is a way to reuse code in multiple classes without using inheritance. A mixin is a class that contains a set of methods and properties that can be added to another class. In Dart, a mixin is defined using the with keyword. When a class uses a mixin, it inherits the methods and properties defined in the mixin, but it does not inherit the mixin’s superclass. Mixins are useful when you want to add functionality to a class without creating a new subclass.

In summary

interfaces are used to define a contract between classes, while mixins are used to add functionality to a class. Interfaces define a set of methods and properties that a class must implement, while mixins define a set of methods and properties that can be added to a class. Both interfaces and mixins are important concepts in Dart programming, and they are used to create reusable and maintainable code.

When deciding whether to use a mixin or an interface, consider the following:

• Use an interface when you want to define a contract between classes.
• Use a mixin when you want to add functionality to a class without creating a new subclass.