Creating a dropdown list in Flutter

Dropdowns are a common user interface element in modern applications, allowing users to select a single value from a list of options. In Flutter, two main widgets are used to create dropdown menus: DropdownButton and DropdownMenuItem. The DropdownButton widget requires an items property to display options, which is populated by a list of DropdownMenuItem widgets. This article explains how to create and customize dropdowns in Flutter, covering aspects such as setting initial values, handling value changes with the onChange callback, disabling the dropdown, and styling options including icons and color customization. Additionally, it contrasts DropdownButton with DropdownButtonFormField, emphasizing the latter's enhanced functionality, such as custom decorations and built-in validation support when used within a Form widget. The guide also highlights that while DropdownButton is suitable for basic dropdowns without validation, DropdownButtonFormField is preferable for more complex forms that require validation and customization.