dating is mostly about determining the intentions behind why youre meeting up. If someone wants to hang out, then they are not interested in you romantically. The flirting is a sign that they are thinking of you in that way. If the flirting is present, then its a date.

Is hanging out and dating the same thing?

Hanging out is a nebulous term covering a casual relationship that has risen to popularity recently and is often used as a catch-all tag phrase. Whereas dating implies a deeper level of commitment by both parties, the implication that the goal is actually a relationship.