What is the Model View Controller Pattern and how does it work?

The Model View Controller is a software development pattern widely used by developers of different types. It adapts very well to different types of applications and can be applied in multiple languages. 

Security and speed of development are some of the reasons why programmers continue to opt for this programming style. 

And if you've come this far, it's because you want to learn more about MVC. 

You've come to the right place! We will tell you the most important aspects about this programming pattern. 

What is the Model View Controller pattern? 

The MVC pattern is a software architecture paradigm for structuring and organizing the development of an application into three distinct parts. MVC stands for Model View Controller. 

In simple words, it’s nothing more than a way of structuring the code of an application, so that each layer or component can be programmed independently of the other. 

MVC allows you to package each layer of the software so that each component and module is independent of each other. This means that code snippets can be added or removed from each component without affecting the rest. 

One of the most notable advantages of this type of development is that it allows the growth and scalability of the application in a simple way. 

This model is applicable to different types of applications, systems and environments: desktop, web and mobile applications, and even servers, and can be used in different types of languages: 

• PHP

• Python

• Ruby

• C++ 

• Javascript 

• NodeJS 

• Java

• Smalltalk 

• And the list is even longer

What makes up each of the layers of the Controller View Model? 

Starting from this basic concept, let us now see in detail what each of the layers consists of and what their functions are within this software structure. 

1. Model

The model is the layer in which all the application data is managed. It’s here where the connection is made with the database and the famous CRUD: Create, Read, Update and Delete. 

In other words, it’s the place where we create, update, query and delete information from the database. For that very reason, the model is the deepest and most sensitive layer of the software, since it’s the place that gives access to the database and is the target of hackers. 

Permissions and access to information, files and classes are also managed here. 

2. View

In the view is the entire user interface, that is, the whole visual part and the components with which the user of the application interacts. It includes: 

• Screens/pages

• Texts

• Windows

• Buttons

• Styles

• Visual components

• Calls to action

In general, the views are divided into different modules, which also allow each part of the application to be developed individually. 

The view is the surface layer of the application with which the user interacts. Views are developed with markup languages. In the case of web pages, HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript are used. 

3. Controller

The controller is the intermediate layer between the model and the view; and its function is to be an intermediary between the system and the user in a bidirectional way. 

On the one hand, it processes the user's requests and makes the queries directly to the model. Each time the user presses a button or requests to view another page, the controller makes a request to the model for the model to process it in the database. 

Then, once the model has processed all the information, it sends it to the controller. The controller receives the data and then displays it in the view. 

So it has a bidirectional operation: from the view to the model and from the model to the view. 

Benefits of using the Model View Controller pattern

The MVC pattern has many benefits for both the development process and the application itself. In fact, that is the reason why so many developers choose to use this paradigm for their software. 

1. Increased security for the software

The main benefit of MVC is the security it offers to the application and the software. The idea of this type of development is to protect the most sensitive part of the application: the database. 

By dividing the software into different layers it is more difficult for hackers to access the database. In fact, that is the reason why the controller is added, so that the views do not query directly. 

Of course, these are not the only security measures to protect a software from cyber attacks. But it’s one of many that have proven to be quite functional. 

2. Separation of responsibilities

The MVC paradigm also makes it possible to separate responsibilities for application development in a simpler way. Some developers will be in charge of creating the views, others the controllers and others the models. 

Although the way to separate responsibilities depends on the needs and capabilities of each project, as well as on the human resources available. In many cases, the same programmer who develops the model is usually the same one who develops the controller. 

Remember also that ideally each layer should be separated into different modules. Each developer can take care of a module with a particular function in both the model and the controller. 

Anyway, the important thing is that you use the method that is most agile and convenient for you. 

3. Faster development speed

By assigning different responsibilities, the application will be able to grow and scale progressively from different angles at the same time. You will not have to limit yourself to developing the visual part first and then the backend part, but each layer will be developed progressively. 

4. Greater code clarity

This also makes the software code easier to understand, and therefore makes it easier to detect any problems in the software. 

5. Multiple views from the model

Another notable advantage is the reusability of a view for different pages. From the model, a single view can be used to change the data according to the user's states and requests. 

6. Easier unit testing

Another advantage is that unit tests can be performed faster and with better quality. The developer will not have to worry about testing several aspects of the application at once. Having packaged each part of the software makes it easier to review and optimize the code. 

Disadvantages of the MVC pattern

However, not everything is wonderful with this development paradigm. MVC has at least two disadvantages: 

1. There is not as much freedom when developing.

The Model View Controller does not offer as many development liberties as other paradigms or as some frameworks usually do. In fact, 90% or more of us will have to stick to this pattern for the program to be functional. 

Over time it can become quite tedious, especially because we will always have to create different files regardless of how simple the task is. 

2. The learning curve can be very high

This development pattern can be difficult to learn for many developers. 

Conclusion

Despite the disadvantages it has, the advantages are so many that it is still worth implementing this programming pattern to our developments. 

It is preferable to opt for this development paradigm if you plan to create a large or scalable application. Otherwise, it is preferable to choose other programming patterns. 

We hope this article has given you some clarity on the subject. Now it is up to you to choose the languages or frameworks in which you are going to work with this pattern. 

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