Model-View-Controller (MVC) is a simple way to organize code in software development. It helps keep different parts of a program separate and easy to manage. MVC splits an application into three main parts. So in this guide, we will explain MVC architecture in Java. It gives step-by-step help, shows why MVC is useful and looks at how it is used in frameworks like Spring and Angular. By the end, you will clearly understand what MVC is as well as why it is important for building modern software.

What is MVC Architecture?

Before learning about the MVC architecture in Java, let's just understand what the MVC architecture is. So, MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a way to organize code in software to make it easier to build and manage. It generally splits the app into three parts:

  • Model: Handles the data and rules.
  • View: Shows the data to the user (the interface).
  • Controller: Takes user input and updates the Model and View.

This setup helps developers work separately on each part, making the app easier to fix, grow, and understand. It’s generally used in web development.

Features of MVC

In Java, a popular way to build web applications is by using something called MVC architecture. This method helps developers organize their work in a way that makes it simpler to manage and test their applications. By breaking the application into different parts, developers can focus on each section separately. This approach helps speed up the development process and makes it easier to improve and fix the application over time.

This setup separates the business stuff from the UI and input elements, making everything organized. You get full control over your HTML and URLs, which helps when you're designing the architecture of a web app. Plus, it has a powerful URL-mapping feature, so you can create URLs that are easy to understand and search. It also supports Test Driven Development (TDD), which is super handy for keeping everything in check.

MVC Architecture in Java Tutorial

Here is a straightforward guide to understanding the MVC Architecture. This tutorial breaks down the concept in a simple way, making it easy for everyone to grasp, regardless of their technical background.:

Step 1: Setting Up the Project

To illustrate the MVC architecture in Java, we will create a simple web application using Spring MVC. First, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

  • Java Development Kit (JDK)
  • Apache Maven
  • An IDE (like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse)

Create a new Maven project and add the necessary dependencies in your pom.xml file:

<dependencies>

    <dependency>

        <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>

        <artifactId>spring-webmvc</artifactId>

        <version>5.3.10</version>

    </dependency>

    <dependency>

        <groupId>javax.servlet</groupId>

        <artifactId>javax.servlet-api</artifactId>

        <version>4.0.1</version>

        <scope>provided</scope>

    </dependency>

    <dependency>

        <groupId>org.apache.tomcat.embed</groupId>

        <artifactId>tomcat-embed-core</artifactId>

        <version>9.0.54</version>

    </dependency>

</dependencies>


Step 2: Creating the Model

In the realm of MVC architecture in Java, create a simple model class that represents a User. This class will contain attributes and methods related to user data.

public class User {

    private String name;

    private String email;

 

    // Getters and Setters

    public String getName() {

        return name;

    }

 

    public void setName(String name) {

        this.name = name;

    }

 

    public String getEmail() {

        return email;

    }

 

    public void setEmail(String email) {

        this.email = email;

    }

}

Step 3: Creating the View

For spring MVC architecture in Java, views are typically created using JSP or Thymeleaf. For this example, we will use JSP. Create a user.jsp file in the WEB-INF/views directory:

<%@ page contentType="text/html;charset=UTF-8" language="java" %>

<html>

<head>

    <title>User Information</title>

</head>

<body>

<h2>User Information</h2>

<p>Name: ${user.name}</p>

<p>Email: ${user.email}</p>

</body>

</html>

Step 4: Creating the Controller

Now, create a controller class that will handle user requests and return the appropriate view.

import org.springframework.stereotype.Controller;

import org.springframework.ui.Model;

import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.GetMapping;

 

@Controller

public class UserController {

 

    @GetMapping("/user")

    public String getUser (Model model) {

        User user = new User();

        user.setName("John Doe");

        user.setEmail("john.doe@example.com");

        model.addAttribute("user", user);

        return "user";

    }

}

Step 5: Configuring Spring MVC

Finally, configure Spring MVC architecture in Java by creating a web.xml file and a configuration class.

web.xml:

<web-app xmlns="http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee" 

         xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"

         xsi:schemaLocation="http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee 

         http://xmlns.jcp.org/xml/ns/javaee/web-app_3_1.xsd"

         version="3.1">

    <servlet>

        <servlet-name>dispatcher</servlet-name>

        <servlet-class>org.springframework.web.servlet.DispatcherServlet</servlet-class>

        <load-on-startup>1</load-on-startup>

    </servlet>

    <servlet-mapping>

        <servlet-name>dispatcher</servlet-name>

        <url-pattern>/</url-pattern>

    </servlet-mapping>

</web-app>

Spring Configuration Class:

import org.springframework.context.annotation.ComponentScan;

import org.springframework.context.annotation.Configuration;

import org.springframework.web.servlet.config.annotation.EnableWebMvc;

 

@Configuration

@EnableWebMvc

@ComponentScan(basePackages = "com.example")

public class WebConfig {

}

Advantages of MVC Architecture

The MVC architecture is a popular way to design software, especially for websites and desktop apps. It splits the application into three parts: Model, View, and Controller. This makes the software easier to build and manage. So, here are some clear benefits of the MVC architecture in Java:

1. Clear Separation of Work

  • The model handles the data and rules.
  • View shows the data to users.
  • The controller takes care of user actions.
    This makes the code neat and easier to understand.

2. Teams Can Work Together

  • Different developers can work on Model, View, and Controller at the same time.
  • This helps build the app faster.

3. Reuse of Code

  • You can reuse the same Model and View it in different parts of the app.
  • One Model can be shown in many different ways.

4. Easier to Test and Fix

  • Each part (Model, View, Controller) can be tested alone.
  • This helps catch bugs quickly and makes fixing problems easier.

5. Easy to Grow

  • You can add new features without changing everything.
  • This is good for big or growing apps.

6. Easy to Maintain

  • Because parts are separate, it's simple to update or fix them.
  • It also lowers the chance of breaking other parts of the app.

MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a key architectural pattern in Java that helps organize code for better scalability and maintainability. If you're building a strong foundation in backend or full-stack development, our Java Programming Course covers MVC and other essential concepts through hands-on projects and real-world examples.

Application MVC Architecture

MVC architecture in Java is a popular way to organize software applications. It's commonly found in various types of applications, including:

  • Web Applications: Many websites use frameworks like Spring MVC and Angular to build dynamic and responsive user experiences.
  • Desktop Applications: Programs you use on your computer, such as those created with JavaFX and Swing, can also be designed using MVC to keep things organized.
  • Mobile Applications: MVC is useful in mobile app development too, helping to separate the look of the app from how it functions. 

Angular MVC Architecture

Angular is a well-known tool for creating websites and follows the MVC approach. In Angular, the visible parts of the application, like buttons and menus, are called components (which represent the 'View'). The data and logic behind the scenes are handled by services (the 'Model'). Instead of a traditional controller, Angular uses the component class, which takes care of user actions and updates what you see on the screen. 

A Real-Life Example of MVC Architecture

Imagine a library management system as a practical example of MVC architecture in Java: 

  • Model: This part represents the essential elements like books, library members, and transactions (borrowing or returning books). 
  • View: This refers to what you see as a user, such as lists of available books, your account details, and your borrowing history. 
  • Controller: This component manages user actions, like borrowing or returning a book, and ensures both the data and the display update accordingly. 

MVC in the Spring Framework 

In the Spring Framework, which is used to build web applications, MVC is implemented through a specific module called Spring Web MVC. This framework helps developers create organized and easy-to-maintain web applications by using features like dependency injection (which allows for better management of the application components) and aspect-oriented programming (which helps in managing cross-cutting concerns like logging).

By organizing applications with MVC, developers can build more efficient software that is easier for users to interact with.

Conclusion

MVC architecture in Java is a helpful way to build applications. It keeps the code organized by splitting it into three parts that are Model (data), View (interface), and Controller (input). This makes the app easier to build, test, and update. Developers can work at the same time on different parts, which saves time. MVC works well for web, desktop, and mobile apps. Popular tools like Spring MVC and Angular use this idea to help make strong and user-friendly apps. Using MVC can make software development easier and better.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is an example of MVC architecture in real life?

Ans. A restaurant works like MVC. The menu (Model) has the food list. The waiter (Controller) takes your order as well as gives it to the kitchen. The food (View) is what you get.

Q. What is MVC in Spring Framework?

Ans. In Spring, the Model stores data, the View shows it on the screen, as well as the Controller handles user actions using simple code, making the app easy to build and manage.