[Flutter/dart] Default value of a class instance in null safety

Overview

When creating an instance of a certain class, there are cases where it is optional to set arguments to the instance, and if not set, we want to set a default value.

I had a little trouble with this pattern after introducing null safety, so I'll summarize it.

Promblem

For primitive types such as int, default values can be specified in constructor.

class SomeClass{
  int a;
  
  SomeCless({this.a = 0});
}

However, this is not possible for instances of other classes.

class SomeClass{
  OtherClass other;
  
  SomeCless({this.other = Other(b:1)});  //compile error
}

class OtherClass{

  final int b;
  
  OtherClass({this.b});
}

Without null safety, it was written in the following way, but it is no longer possible.

class SomeClass{
  OtherClass other;
  
  SomeCless({OtherClass o}):
    other = o?? OtherClass(b:1);
}

Solution

Make the argument a nullable type and check null and set default value in the initializer.

class SomeClass{
  OtherClass other;
  
  SomeCless({OtherClass? o}):
    other = o?? OtherClass(b:1);
}

Lastly

With null safety, the way of writing that had no problem until now becomes an error, so I'm confused in various situations...