Module - 4

Interactive systems and the MVC Architecture:

The MVC pattern was developed in the mid-1990s to help web

developers create user-friendly and maintainable web applications.
The Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern separates an
application into three main components: the model, the view, and the
controller. The ASP.NET MVC framework provides an alternative to
the ASP.NET Web Forms pattern for creating MVC-based Web
applications.

MVC (Model-View-Controller) Architecture is a fundamental

design pattern in software development, separating an application
into Model, View, and Controller components.

This article explores its role in building robust, maintainable

systems, emphasizing its benefits and implementation strategies.

MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture is a universal

pattern of a structure in which an application is divided into three
parts which are all dedicated to certain parts of the whole
application. This pattern is normally used in software development to
create organized and easy-to-maintain code.
 Model: It is worth stating that the Model stands as the data layer
for the application. It is directly involved in managing the data
as well as the control of the application’s logic and rules.

 View: The View is in the presentation tier. It plays a role of

presenting the information given by the Model to the user and
transferring the user commands to the Controller. The View is
used to display the data to the user in a readable and manageable
way using the interface created by the Controller.

 Controller: The Controller CE works in the middle between the

Model and the View. It takes the input from the View,
sometimes modifies it with the help of the Model, and sends it
back to the View. the results back to the View.
 Importance in System Design

The MVC architecture is significant in system design for the

following reasons:

 Separation of Concerns: MVC structures an application into

three integrated elements and that really separates concern. Due
to the clear division of responsibilities among each of the
components, the functioning of the application becomes more
logical and comprehensible.

 Reusability: Due to the fact that Model, View, and Controller

are all the distinct entities, components can be utilized in the
various sections of the application or different projects. For
example, a Model class that contains user data can be used many
times in the views and the controllers.

 Scalability: MVC amplifies the creation of applications that can

be developed further. When the application advances, new
functionalities of the application can be added without
significant alterations to some parts of the application because
they are elusive.

 Testability: This separation of concerns make it easier for the

testing of each part from the other as we as from other problems.
One of the testing strategies is to have separate tests for Model,
View, and Controller parts, in this way, one is sure that each
part is functioning properly before combining them.
Key Components of MVC Architecture

Here are detailed explanations and examples for each of the key
components of the MVC architecture: Here are detailed explanations
and examples for each of the key components of the MVC
architecture:

 Model: The Model component brings together all the core

details and business knowledge. Therefore, it is concerned with
the management of data, states and rules of the application. For
example, in a booking system the Model might deal with user
data, booking details and with calculations of prices.

 View: The View component is responsible for the presentation

layer. It takes the data provided by the Model and presents it to
the user in a readable format.

 Controller: The Controller component handles user input and

interactions. It processes the input, interacts with the Model, and
updates the View accordingly.

Benefits of MVC Architecture

MVC architecture offers several advantages:

 Enhanced Organization: MVC is useful in splitting the

application into different parts thus improving on the way the
codebase is structured. This also helps in easy identification of
 errors that exist in a program, implement changes to the existing
program and even have better understanding of the overall
structure of the created application.

 Parallel Development: It means that two or more developers

can work on Model, View, and Controller form at the same time
without attempting or interfering with the work of the other.
This aspect of parallel development can go a long way in
enhancing the development process since they are being worked
on simultaneously.

 Code Reusability: Compared with other designs, elements of

MVC can be reused from part of the application to another. For
example, a Model representing user data can be reused in
different views and controllers and modification of one will
automatically affect them because they are derived from it.

 Improved Maintainability: It bellows from the fact that this

methodology of separation of concerns makes it easier to
maintain and update the application. Refinements to one part
(for example, modifying the Model by altering the database
schema) affect no other part at least at the conceptual level (for
example, the View should not be impacted).

 Testability: Compared with other architectures, MVC

architecture is relatively easy to test because each component of
the architecture can be tested separately. Writing unit tests can
 be done for the Model, View and Controller, thus assuring that
each component is correct before the others.

Implementation Strategies

The proper application of the MVC architecture depends on the

right planning and compliance with many standards. Here are some
strategies to consider:

 Code Separation: It recommends splitting a working code into

three folders named Model, View and Controller. This
separation should seem in the directory structure of the project
as well as variable and function names.

 Framework Utilization: Utilize widely used MVC frameworks

which are provided with the options for organizing the
application by the MVC pattern.

 Consistent Data Flow: Make sure that data pass through the
components of the application in a continuous manner according
to the MVC characteristics. The Controller should be receiving
as well as processing user input and modifying the Model and
the View in response to it. Do not directly communicate the
Model with the View.

 Modular Design: Design each component as a self-contained

module with well-defined interfaces. This modular design
makes it easier to test, maintain, and extend the application.
 Some of the real life examples of MVC architecture

Several popular web frameworks implement the MVC

architecture:

 Django: A Python Web application framework that supports

high level and promotes the strong, fast web application
development and clear, and practical design. While Django also
has the components of MVC but refers to it as MVT where T
stands for Template, django is famous for its “batteries
included” philosophy where it has many included features.

 Ruby on Rails: Ruby web application framework implemented

on the server side. Rails is built on MVC and is a software that
aims at having a number of conventions at the core, so that one
can begin creating web applications at a very basic level.

 Angular: The libraries are created to build a single-page client

application using HTML and a TypeScript language. Angular
follows the MVC model by the use of components and
dependency injection

Challenges of MVC Architecture

Despite its benefits, MVC architecture can present some

challenges:
  Complexity: If one is working on a small application, then the
MVC architecture can prove to be quite cumbersome. If the
project is simple, then managing a different component may
lead to excess expenditure on the overhead.

 Learning Curve: The use of MVC entails a lot of learning by

the developers in as much as it catalyses ease in development of
applications. There is therefore a need for developers to
thoroughly understand the functionality of each component to
establish the relationship that binds them.

 Overhead: It may also involve some additional costs because of

the component necessitating its or her management and
maintenance. The requirement gives rise to complexity when the
Model, View and the Controller need to be synchronized which
results to longer time when developing and debugging the
software.

Designing of the subsystems:

Designing subsystems is a process that breaks down large

systems into smaller, more manageable parts. This is especially useful
in component-based development, where subsystems can be used to
specify components that can be independently developed, reused, or
replaced.
 Here are some tips for designing subsystems:

 Name and describe: Give each subsystem a name and a short

description.

 Transfer responsibilities: Transfer the responsibilities of the original

analysis class to the newly-created subsystem.

 Document responsibilities: Use the subsystem description to

document the responsibilities.
Subsystem architecture is the process of identifying and grouping
system functions, data sets, and resources. This involves: specifying
subsystems, defining interfaces, and creating a diagram to illustrate
connections and interactions.
 PATTERN BASED SOLUTIONS

A pattern-based approach is a method that presents common

data modeling structures and provides guidelines for recognizing
them. Some examples of pattern-based solutions include:

Microservices architecture pattern

A viable alternative to monolithic applications and service-

oriented architectures. Components are deployed as separate units
through a streamlined delivery pipeline.

Singleton pattern

Ensures that a class has only one instance and provides a global
point of access to it. Useful for scenarios where a single point of
control is needed, such as managing configuration settings or database
connections.

Architectural pattern

Captures the design structures of various systems and elements

of software so that they can be reused.

Creational patterns

Provide various object creation mechanisms, which increase

flexibility and reuse of existing code.

Factory Method pattern

Provides an interface for creating objects but lets the subclasses

decide which class to instantiate.
 Observer pattern

Useful when you are interested in the state of an Object and

want to get notified whenever there is any change.

Adapter pattern

Allows two incompatible interfaces to work together by

converting the interface of one class into another interface that clients
expect.

Behavioral patterns

Focus on the interactions and communication between objects

and classes. Examples include the Observer pattern, Strategy pattern,
and Command pattern.
 Event-driven architecture pattern

Components or services of an app or software are triggered

based on events.