How do I extend a List in Dart?

To make a class implement List there are several ways :

• Extending ListBase and implementing length, operator[], operator[]= and length= :

import 'dart:collection';

class MyCustomList<E> extends ListBase<E> {
  final List<E> l = [];
  MyCustomList();

  void set length(int newLength) { l.length = newLength; }
  int get length => l.length;
  E operator [](int index) => l[index];
  void operator []=(int index, E value) { l[index] = value; }

  // your custom methods
}

• Mixin ListMixin and implementing length, operator[], operator[]= and length= :

import 'dart:collection';

class MyCustomList<E> extends Base with ListMixin<E> {
  final List<E> l = [];
  MyCustomList();

  void set length(int newLength) { l.length = newLength; }
  int get length => l.length;
  E operator [](int index) => l[index];
  void operator []=(int index, E value) { l[index] = value; }

  // your custom methods
}

• Delegating to an other List with DelegatingList from the quiver package:

import 'package:quiver/collection.dart';

class MyCustomList<E> extends DelegatingList<E> {
  final List<E> _l = [];

  List<E> get delegate => _l;

  // your custom methods
}

• Delegating to an other List with DelegatingList from the collection package:

import 'package:collection/wrappers.dart';

class MyCustomList<E> extends DelegatingList<E> {
  final List<E> _l;

  MyCustomList() : this._(<E>[]);
  MyCustomList._(l) :
    _l = l,
    super(l);

  // your custom methods
}

Depending on your code each of those options has their advantages. If you wrap/delegate an existing list you should use the last option. Otherwise, use one of the two first options depending on your type hierarchy (mixin allowing to extend another Object).