In Dart, using the ________ operator can help reduce the memory footprint by avoiding unnecessary object creation.

In Dart, using the const operator can help reduce the memory footprint by avoiding unnecessary object creation. The const keyword is used to create compile-time constants, ensuring that only one instance of an object is created in memory. This is particularly useful for optimizing memory usage, especially when dealing with objects that remain constant throughout the app's lifecycle. Understanding when to use const is crucial for efficient Dart programming.