By Sandeep Mhaske | January 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern is a foundational design principle in software engineering, especially for web development. ASP.NET Core MVC is a robust and flexible framework for building scalable, maintainable, and testable web applications. This guide delves into the MVC architecture in .NET Core, covering everything from the basics to advanced concepts with practical examples.
What is MVC Pattern?
The MVC pattern is a software design architecture that separates an application into three interconnected components:
- Model: Represents the application's data and business logic.
- View: Defines the presentation layer, rendering UI elements.
- Controller: Handles user input, updates the model, and determines the view to display.
This separation of concerns makes applications easier to develop, test, and maintain.
Setting Up ASP.NET Core MVC
To get started with ASP.NET Core MVC, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a New Project
Run the following command to create a new ASP.NET Core MVC project:
dotnet new mvc -n MyMvcApp
Step 2: Install Required Packages
ASP.NET Core MVC comes pre-installed with the necessary packages. However, you can add additional libraries as needed using NuGet.
Step 3: Run the Application
Navigate to the project directory and run:
dotnet run
Open https://localhost:5001 in your browser to view your application.
Understanding the MVC Components
1. Model
The model represents the application's data and business logic. Here’s an example:
public class Product
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
}
2. View
The view handles the presentation logic. Example Razor view for displaying products:
@model List
3. Controller
The controller handles user input and updates the model and view:
public class ProductsController : Controller
{
public IActionResult Index()
{
var products = new List
}
}
Building a Simple MVC Application
Let’s build a CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) application for managing products.
Step 1: Define the Model
public class Product
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
}
Step 2: Create the Controller
public class ProductsController : Controller
{
private static List
}
Step 3: Create the Views
Create Razor views for displaying and managing products.
Advanced MVC Concepts
- Dependency Injection: Use DI to inject services into controllers.
- Routing: Configure custom routes using
MapControllerRoute. - Filters: Implement action and result filters for cross-cutting concerns.
Best Practices for ASP.NET Core MVC
- Organize code into separate layers: Models, Views, Controllers, and Services.
- Implement input validation using data annotations.
- Use partial views to improve code reusability.
- Implement API versioning for backward compatibility.
Conclusion
The MVC pattern is a cornerstone of modern web application development, offering a clear separation of concerns that enhances scalability, maintainability, and testability. ASP.NET Core MVC leverages the strengths of .NET Core to provide a powerful framework for building dynamic, data-driven web applications.
By understanding the fundamental components of MVC—Model, View, and Controller—you can create robust and efficient applications tailored to business needs. Whether you're developing simple websites or complex enterprise solutions, ASP.NET Core MVC is an excellent choice.
Follow the examples provided in this guide to start building your first MVC application, and explore advanced topics like routing, dependency injection, and filters to take your applications to the next level.