Function not returning variable in dart

I made a function in dart that is meant to change a variable and return it for use later in the program. It doesn't change the variable like it is supposed to. Here is my code:

String example = "not working :/";

String make(){
  String example = "Hello World";
  return example;
  
}

void main() {
  make();
  print(example);
}

I want it to print out hello world but instead I still get the original "not working :/"

I tried everything I could to make the function change the variable with no luck.

Any help appreciated.

In the function make() you are declaring a local named example with the declaration String example = "Hello World". This re-declared example shadows the global example.

There are a couple things you could do.

1. Assign the global

String example = "not working :/";

void make() {
  example = "Hello World";
}

void main() {
  make();
  print(example);
}

Output:

Hello World

Note the assignment of example, without a declaration. example = ... is an assignment; String example = ... is a declaration.

This is an example of a function with a global side effect.

2. Return a value

String example = "not working :/";

String make() {
  return "Hello World";
}

void main() {
  example = make();
  print(example);
}

Output:

Hello World

Generally speaking, approach #2 should be preferred due to the lack of side effect, unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.

It's possible there are some use cases in which it would make sense to combine approaches #1 and #2 (i.e. both assign a global as well as return the value, as it appears you're attempting to do in your example code). But I suggest limiting yourself to one or the other unless there's a specific reason to do otherwise.