What is the Difference Between MVC and MVVM

The main difference between MVC and MVVM is that the MVC is an architectural pattern that separates an application into three main logical components as model, view and controller while the MVVM is an architectural pattern that divides an application into components as model, view and viewmodel.

A design pattern is a well-proven solution for solving a specific problem. There are various design patterns, and MVC and MVVM are two of them. Here, MVC is an application design model that comprises of three interconnected sections. But, on the other hand, MVVM is a model that helps to design rich UP and Single Page Applications. It is a pattern specifically designed for WPF and other XAML platforms.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is MVC
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is MVVM
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the Difference Between MVC and MVVM
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

MVC, MVVM

What is MVC

MVC, which stands for Model View Controller, is a popular design pattern in application development. It divides the application into three sections: model, view and controller.

First, the model is used to implement the logic of the application. In other words, it includes business logic. It helps to retrieve and store data in a database such as MSSQL Server or MySQL. Secondly, the view represents the user interfaces. For example, when developing an e-commerce web application, pages with customer details, product details, etc. represent the user interfaces. These pages come under view. Finally, the controller is the component that handles user interactions. It works with the model and select view to render the web page.

Overall, MVC is a useful pattern when developing enterprise level complex applications. It improves the separation of concern as it divides the application into multiple units. Therefore, it is easier to do modifications without affecting the entire project.

What is MVVM

MVVM, which is Model View ViewModel, is a well ordered and reusable way to organize the code. The main components of the MVVM are model, viewmodel and view. First of all, the model holds the data. Secondly, the viewmodel works as the link or the connection between the model and view. It converts the data objects from the model in such a way that objects are easily managed and presented. Finally, the view holds the user interfaces.

This pattern removes the logic from the view, creating a flexible code. Also, it works well when handling data from an API. In overall, MVVM pattern allows the programmer to organize and structure the code to write maintainable, testable and extensible applications.

Difference Between MVC and MVVM

Definition

MVC is an architectural pattern commonly used for developing user interfaces that divides an application into three interconnected parts called model, view and controller. MVVM is a software architectural pattern that facilitates a separation of development of the Graphical User Interfaces from the development of the business logic or back-end logic. Hence, this is the conceptual difference between MVC and MVVM.

Stands for

MVC stands for Model View Controller while MVVM stands for Model View ViewModel.

Functionality

MVC divides the application into model, view and controller. The model represents the data, and the view represents the user interfaces, while the controller handles requests. In contrast, MVVM divides the application into model, view and viewmodel. The model represents entities or domain objects. The view represents User Interface layer while the viewmodel describes the binding between view and model. Thus, this is the main difference between MVC and MVVM.

Supporting Technologies

ASP.NET and Java Spring uses MVC while Angular JS, Silverlight and Microsoft WPF uses MVVM.

Advantages

MVC supports asynchronous requests. Moreover, modification does not affect the entire application. MVVM provides isolated unit testing. It also provides components that work independently, and the internal implementation can be changed without affecting the other components. This is another difference between MVC and MVVM.

Conclusion

MVC and MVVM are two architectural patterns. And, the main difference between MVC and MVVM is that the MVC is an architectural pattern that separates an application into three main logical components as model, view and controller while the MVVM is an architectural pattern that divides an application into components as model, view and viewmodel. 

Reference:

1. “MVVM Introduction.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Available here.
2. “ASP.Net MVC Introduction – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “MVC-Process” By RegisFrey – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “MVVMPattern” By Ugaya40 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia