dead_code

Dead code.

Dead code: The assigned-to wildcard variable is marked late and can never be referenced so this initializer will never be evaluated.

The analyzer produces this diagnostic when code is found that won't be executed because execution will never reach the code.

The following code produces this diagnostic because the invocation of print occurs after the function has returned:

void f() {
  return;
  print('here');
}

If the code isn't needed, then remove it:

void f() {
  return;
}

If the code needs to be executed, then either move the code to a place where it will be executed:

void f() {
  print('here');
  return;
}

Or, rewrite the code before it, so that it can be reached:

void f({bool skipPrinting = true}) {
  if (skipPrinting) {
    return;
  }
  print('here');
}

Unless stated otherwise, the documentation on this site reflects Dart 3.7.3. Page last updated on 2025-05-08. View source or report an issue.