Flutter - BLoC pattern - How to use streams to invoke a method of another widget, i.e. an animation?












1















Suppose there is a widget with a method controlling visibility animation, toggleVisibility(). In a BLoC pattern, I want to use a stream to invoke that function. I find this pretty tricky.




  1. Since it is an animation rather than a complete redraw, a StreamBuilder doesn't fit.


  2. Manually add a listener to the BLoC streams isn't convenient either.




    1. In initeState() function of the target widget, we don't have a context, so it's hard to get a reference to the BLoC.


    Edit: This is not the case after I read Rémi Rousselet's answer. We can access the context even outside of build() function, because State<T> class has a property named 'context' and is documented in Flutter's docs.... I wasn't aware of that.




    1. In build(context) function of the target widget, we have the context. But the widget can be frequently re-built, so you have to manually clean the outdated subscriptions. Otherwise it will create tons of garbages.




  3. A hack with StreamBuilder can do, since the StreamBuilder has implemented all the subscription and unsubscription functionalities. Insert a StreamBuilder somewhere in the layout of the target widget.



    StreamBuilder(
    stream: Bloc.of(context).stream,
    builder: (context, snapshot){
    toggleVisiblity();
    return Container():
    }
    );




But this is really a hack. It mixed layout with logic and introduced a useless widget which could cause layout bugs.



So I wonder if there is a good way of doing this in flutter.










share|improve this question





























    1















    Suppose there is a widget with a method controlling visibility animation, toggleVisibility(). In a BLoC pattern, I want to use a stream to invoke that function. I find this pretty tricky.




    1. Since it is an animation rather than a complete redraw, a StreamBuilder doesn't fit.


    2. Manually add a listener to the BLoC streams isn't convenient either.




      1. In initeState() function of the target widget, we don't have a context, so it's hard to get a reference to the BLoC.


      Edit: This is not the case after I read Rémi Rousselet's answer. We can access the context even outside of build() function, because State<T> class has a property named 'context' and is documented in Flutter's docs.... I wasn't aware of that.




      1. In build(context) function of the target widget, we have the context. But the widget can be frequently re-built, so you have to manually clean the outdated subscriptions. Otherwise it will create tons of garbages.




    3. A hack with StreamBuilder can do, since the StreamBuilder has implemented all the subscription and unsubscription functionalities. Insert a StreamBuilder somewhere in the layout of the target widget.



      StreamBuilder(
      stream: Bloc.of(context).stream,
      builder: (context, snapshot){
      toggleVisiblity();
      return Container():
      }
      );




    But this is really a hack. It mixed layout with logic and introduced a useless widget which could cause layout bugs.



    So I wonder if there is a good way of doing this in flutter.










    share|improve this question



























      1












      1








      1


      1






      Suppose there is a widget with a method controlling visibility animation, toggleVisibility(). In a BLoC pattern, I want to use a stream to invoke that function. I find this pretty tricky.




      1. Since it is an animation rather than a complete redraw, a StreamBuilder doesn't fit.


      2. Manually add a listener to the BLoC streams isn't convenient either.




        1. In initeState() function of the target widget, we don't have a context, so it's hard to get a reference to the BLoC.


        Edit: This is not the case after I read Rémi Rousselet's answer. We can access the context even outside of build() function, because State<T> class has a property named 'context' and is documented in Flutter's docs.... I wasn't aware of that.




        1. In build(context) function of the target widget, we have the context. But the widget can be frequently re-built, so you have to manually clean the outdated subscriptions. Otherwise it will create tons of garbages.




      3. A hack with StreamBuilder can do, since the StreamBuilder has implemented all the subscription and unsubscription functionalities. Insert a StreamBuilder somewhere in the layout of the target widget.



        StreamBuilder(
        stream: Bloc.of(context).stream,
        builder: (context, snapshot){
        toggleVisiblity();
        return Container():
        }
        );




      But this is really a hack. It mixed layout with logic and introduced a useless widget which could cause layout bugs.



      So I wonder if there is a good way of doing this in flutter.










      share|improve this question
















      Suppose there is a widget with a method controlling visibility animation, toggleVisibility(). In a BLoC pattern, I want to use a stream to invoke that function. I find this pretty tricky.




      1. Since it is an animation rather than a complete redraw, a StreamBuilder doesn't fit.


      2. Manually add a listener to the BLoC streams isn't convenient either.




        1. In initeState() function of the target widget, we don't have a context, so it's hard to get a reference to the BLoC.


        Edit: This is not the case after I read Rémi Rousselet's answer. We can access the context even outside of build() function, because State<T> class has a property named 'context' and is documented in Flutter's docs.... I wasn't aware of that.




        1. In build(context) function of the target widget, we have the context. But the widget can be frequently re-built, so you have to manually clean the outdated subscriptions. Otherwise it will create tons of garbages.




      3. A hack with StreamBuilder can do, since the StreamBuilder has implemented all the subscription and unsubscription functionalities. Insert a StreamBuilder somewhere in the layout of the target widget.



        StreamBuilder(
        stream: Bloc.of(context).stream,
        builder: (context, snapshot){
        toggleVisiblity();
        return Container():
        }
        );




      But this is really a hack. It mixed layout with logic and introduced a useless widget which could cause layout bugs.



      So I wonder if there is a good way of doing this in flutter.







      dart flutter rxdart






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Nov 23 '18 at 13:55







      First_Strike

















      asked Nov 23 '18 at 9:25









      First_StrikeFirst_Strike

      1599




      1599
























          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          2














          You cannot use StreamBuilder to do that. You have to manually listen to the stream



          class Example extends StatefulWidget {
          @override
          ExampleState createState() => ExampleState();
          }

          class ExampleState extends State<Example> {
          StreamSubscription subscription;

          @override
          void didChangeDependencies() {
          super.didChangeDependencies();
          Stream stream = Bloc.of(context).foo;
          subscription?.cancel();
          subscription = stream.listen((value) {
          // do something
          });
          }

          @override
          void dispose() {
          subscription?.cancel();
          super.dispose();
          }

          @override
          Widget build(BuildContext context) {
          return Container();
          }
          }





          share|improve this answer
























          • Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

            – First_Strike
            Nov 23 '18 at 13:49











          • @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

            – Claude
            Jan 6 at 18:23











          • @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

            – Rémi Rousselet
            Jan 6 at 21:44












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          1 Answer
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          active

          oldest

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          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          2














          You cannot use StreamBuilder to do that. You have to manually listen to the stream



          class Example extends StatefulWidget {
          @override
          ExampleState createState() => ExampleState();
          }

          class ExampleState extends State<Example> {
          StreamSubscription subscription;

          @override
          void didChangeDependencies() {
          super.didChangeDependencies();
          Stream stream = Bloc.of(context).foo;
          subscription?.cancel();
          subscription = stream.listen((value) {
          // do something
          });
          }

          @override
          void dispose() {
          subscription?.cancel();
          super.dispose();
          }

          @override
          Widget build(BuildContext context) {
          return Container();
          }
          }





          share|improve this answer
























          • Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

            – First_Strike
            Nov 23 '18 at 13:49











          • @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

            – Claude
            Jan 6 at 18:23











          • @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

            – Rémi Rousselet
            Jan 6 at 21:44
















          2














          You cannot use StreamBuilder to do that. You have to manually listen to the stream



          class Example extends StatefulWidget {
          @override
          ExampleState createState() => ExampleState();
          }

          class ExampleState extends State<Example> {
          StreamSubscription subscription;

          @override
          void didChangeDependencies() {
          super.didChangeDependencies();
          Stream stream = Bloc.of(context).foo;
          subscription?.cancel();
          subscription = stream.listen((value) {
          // do something
          });
          }

          @override
          void dispose() {
          subscription?.cancel();
          super.dispose();
          }

          @override
          Widget build(BuildContext context) {
          return Container();
          }
          }





          share|improve this answer
























          • Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

            – First_Strike
            Nov 23 '18 at 13:49











          • @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

            – Claude
            Jan 6 at 18:23











          • @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

            – Rémi Rousselet
            Jan 6 at 21:44














          2












          2








          2







          You cannot use StreamBuilder to do that. You have to manually listen to the stream



          class Example extends StatefulWidget {
          @override
          ExampleState createState() => ExampleState();
          }

          class ExampleState extends State<Example> {
          StreamSubscription subscription;

          @override
          void didChangeDependencies() {
          super.didChangeDependencies();
          Stream stream = Bloc.of(context).foo;
          subscription?.cancel();
          subscription = stream.listen((value) {
          // do something
          });
          }

          @override
          void dispose() {
          subscription?.cancel();
          super.dispose();
          }

          @override
          Widget build(BuildContext context) {
          return Container();
          }
          }





          share|improve this answer













          You cannot use StreamBuilder to do that. You have to manually listen to the stream



          class Example extends StatefulWidget {
          @override
          ExampleState createState() => ExampleState();
          }

          class ExampleState extends State<Example> {
          StreamSubscription subscription;

          @override
          void didChangeDependencies() {
          super.didChangeDependencies();
          Stream stream = Bloc.of(context).foo;
          subscription?.cancel();
          subscription = stream.listen((value) {
          // do something
          });
          }

          @override
          void dispose() {
          subscription?.cancel();
          super.dispose();
          }

          @override
          Widget build(BuildContext context) {
          return Container();
          }
          }






          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Nov 23 '18 at 9:55









          Rémi RousseletRémi Rousselet

          36.1k484109




          36.1k484109













          • Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

            – First_Strike
            Nov 23 '18 at 13:49











          • @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

            – Claude
            Jan 6 at 18:23











          • @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

            – Rémi Rousselet
            Jan 6 at 21:44



















          • Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

            – First_Strike
            Nov 23 '18 at 13:49











          • @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

            – Claude
            Jan 6 at 18:23











          • @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

            – Rémi Rousselet
            Jan 6 at 21:44

















          Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

          – First_Strike
          Nov 23 '18 at 13:49





          Oh my. Your answer is SUPER HELPFUL. Previously I was unaware that the State<T> class has a 'context' property itself. It is only after I tried out your code and find it is actually in Flutter's source code and hidden in Flutter's docs. Thanks!

          – First_Strike
          Nov 23 '18 at 13:49













          @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

          – Claude
          Jan 6 at 18:23





          @remi do you know if streams work with animation? Working with AnimatedOpacity widget the duration does not working when setting the value with a stream. Only after calling setState but that seems counter to what I have been reading. Is there a proper way to do it?

          – Claude
          Jan 6 at 18:23













          @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

          – Rémi Rousselet
          Jan 6 at 21:44





          @Claude They do, but be aware that listening to a stream is asynchronous. So you might see things a frame late. This is usually unnoticeable, but just keep it in mind.

          – Rémi Rousselet
          Jan 6 at 21:44




















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