Chapter 20. Model-View-Controller Pattern

The Model-View-Controller design pattern is one of the most important design patterns in computer science. Whereas most patterns address specific problems, Model-View-Controller (MVC) describes the architecture of a system of objects. It can be applied to isolated subsystems or entire applications. The Model-View-Controller design pattern is also less clearly defined than many other patterns, leaving a lot of latitude for alternate implementations. It's more a philosophy than a recipe.

A clear understanding of MVC is critical to using Cocoa, because the entire Cocoa framework is designed around the Model-View-Controller design pattern (where applicable). Where Java adopts MVC for many tasks, Cocoa passionately embraces it. MVC is the soul of Cocoa. Designing with MVC will smooth your development, since so many of the framework objects are designed to integrate effortlessly with an MVC design.