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98 changes: 98 additions & 0 deletions content/dart/concepts/map/terms/update/update.md
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---
Title: '.update()'
Description: 'Updates the value for a specific key in a Map using a provided function.'
Subjects:
- 'Code Foundations'
- 'Computer Science'
Tags:
- 'Dart'
- 'Methods'
- 'Map'
CatalogContent:
- 'learn-dart'
- 'paths/computer-science'
---

In Dart, the **`.update()`** method is used to update the value for a specific key in a `Map`. It takes a key and a function that computes the new value based on the existing value. If the key does not exist, an optional `ifAbsent` function can be provided to add a new key-value pair.

## Syntax

```pseudo
mapVariable.update(key, (value) => newValue)
```

- `mapVariable`: The `Map` to be updated.
- `key`: The key whose value needs to be updated.
- `value`: The current value associated with the key.
- `newValue`: The new value to replace the existing value.

An optional `ifAbsent` parameter can be used to add a key if it does not exist:

```pseudo
mapVariable.update(key, (value) => newValue, ifAbsent: () => defaultValue)
```

- `ifAbsent`: A function that returns a default value if the key is not found.

## Example 1

In the following example, the `.update()` method is used to update the value for an existing key in a `Map`:

```dart
void main() {
Map<String, int> fruits = {'Apple': 5, 'Banana': 3};

// Update the value for 'Apple'
fruits.update('Apple', (value) => value + 2);

print(fruits);
}
```

Here is the output for the above example:

```shell
{Apple: 7, Banana: 3}
```

## Example 2

The `.update()` method can use the `ifAbsent` parameter to add a key if it does not exist:

```dart
void main() {
Map<String, int> fruits = {'Apple': 5};

// 'Orange' does not exist, so ifAbsent adds it
fruits.update('Orange', (value) => value + 5, ifAbsent: () => 10);

print(fruits);
}
```

Here is the output for the above example:

```shell
{Apple: 5, Orange: 10}
```

## Example 3

The `.update()` method can also work with different [data types](https://www.codecademy.com/resources/docs/dart/data-types) for keys and values:

```dart
void main() {
Map<int, String> students = {1: 'Alice', 2: 'Bob'};

// Update the value for key 1
students.update(1, (value) => '$value Smith');

print(students);
}
```

Here is the output for the above example:

```shell
{1: Alice Smith, 2: Bob}
```