Static Members and Class Constants
Share data and helpers at class level.
Static Members and Class Constants is a free Dart Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Dart Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Shared, Not Per-Instance
Most members belong to each object, but some belong to the class itself. Those are called static members, shared by everyone.
A Static Field
Mark a field static and it exists once for the whole class, not once per instance. All objects see the same value.
class Dog {
static int count = 0;
}Accessing Static Members
Reach a static member through the class name, not an instance. You never need to create an object to use it.
Dog.count = 5;
print(Dog.count);Counting Instances
A classic use of a static field is a shared counter. Each new object can bump it to track how many exist.
Dog() {
count++;
}Static Methods
A static method belongs to the class too. It has no this and cannot touch instance fields, only static ones.
static int square(int n) => n * n;Calling Static Methods
Invoke a static method on the class name. It works like a namespaced helper function grouped under your class.
var r = MathUtil.square(4); // 16Class Constants
Combine static and const for a shared constant. It is computed at compile time and the same for the entire class.
static const double pi = 3.14159;Using a Class Constant
Read a class constant through the class name, just like a static field. It is ideal for fixed config values.
print(Circle.pi);Static Cannot See Instance
A static member runs without any object, so it has no this. Trying to read an instance field from it is an error.
static void show() {
// print(name); // error
}When to Choose Static
Reach for static when data or behavior belongs to the type as a whole, not to any single object you create.
Static Helpers Stay Organized
Grouping related helpers as static methods keeps them tidy under one class name instead of floating as loose functions. 🧰
Quick Check
You want one shared counter across every object of a class. What do you use?
Recap: Static and Constants
You learned that static members belong to the class, lack this, and that static const defines shared compile-time constants. 🎉
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Static Members and Class Constants” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Static Members and Class Constants” is free to read here on the web, and the Dart Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Dart Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Static Members and Class Constants”?
Share data and helpers at class level. You practise Dart Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Dart Academy?
No prior experience is required. Dart Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Static Members and Class Constants” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Dart Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Dart Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Defining a Class With Fields
- Instance Methods and this
- Getters and Setters
- Static Members and Class Constants