dart-use-pattern-matching

SKILL.md

Implementing Dart Patterns

Contents

Pattern Selection Strategy

Switch Statements vs. Expressions

Core Pattern Implementations

Workflows

Examples

Pattern Selection Strategy

Apply specific pattern types based on the data structure and desired outcome. Follow these conditional guidelines:

If validating and extracting from deserialized data (e.g., JSON): Use Map and List patterns to simultaneously check structure and destructure key-value pairs.

If handling multiple return values: Use Record patterns to destructure fields directly into local variables.

If executing type-specific behavior (Algebraic Data Types): Use Object patterns combined with sealed classes to ensure exhaustiveness.

If matching numeric ranges or conditions: Use Relational (>=, <=) and Logical-and (&&) patterns.

If multiple cases share logic: Use Logical-or (||) patterns to share a single case body or guard clause.

If ignoring specific values: Use the Wildcard pattern (_) or a non-matching Rest element (...) in collections.