Developing applications with Flutter, the cross-platform UI toolkit, is often associated with integrated development environments (IDEs) like Android Studio. However, the Flutter SDK and its command-line tools allow for application creation and management independent of these IDEs. This approach involves using a text editor for code and the command line interface (CLI) for building, running, and debugging. For instance, developers can utilize VS Code or Sublime Text for writing Dart code and then employ the `flutter run` command within a terminal to launch the application on a connected device or emulator.
Choosing to forgo Android Studio can offer several advantages. Developers familiar with other text editors or those seeking a more lightweight setup may find it preferable. It can also lead to a deeper understanding of the Flutter toolchain, build processes, and dependency management. Historically, command-line workflows were the primary method for software development, and leveraging the CLI provides a direct connection to the underlying system. This method can streamline certain workflows and reduce resource consumption compared to running a full IDE.