MVC architecture overview in PHP

Introduction

MVC helps organize code by separating it into three parts: Model, View, and Controller. This makes programs easier to build and change.

When building a website that needs to show data and respond to user actions.

When you want to keep your code clean and easy to update.

When working in a team so different people can work on data, design, or logic separately.

When you want to reuse parts of your code like the data or the design in different places.

Syntax

PHP

<?php
// MVC parts example

// Model: Handles data
class Model {
    public function getData() {
        return 'Hello from Model';
    }
}

// View: Shows data
class View {
    public function render($data) {
        echo "<h1>$data</h1>";
    }
}

// Controller: Connects Model and View
class Controller {
    private $model;
    private $view;

    public function __construct($model, $view) {
        $this->model = $model;
        $this->view = $view;
    }

    public function show() {
        $data = $this->model->getData();
        $this->view->render($data);
    }
}

// Usage
$model = new Model();
$view = new View();
$controller = new Controller($model, $view);
$controller->show();
?>

The Model handles data and business logic.

The View displays the data to the user.

The Controller manages input and updates Model and View.

Examples

This Model class returns a simple message.

PHP

<?php
// Simple Model
class Model {
    public function getMessage() {
        return 'Data from Model';
    }
}
?>

This View class shows text inside a paragraph.

PHP

<?php
// Simple View
class View {
    public function display($text) {
        echo "<p>$text</p>";
    }
}
?>

This Controller gets data from Model and sends it to View to show.

PHP

<?php
// Simple Controller
class Controller {
    private $model;
    private $view;

    public function __construct($model, $view) {
        $this->model = $model;
        $this->view = $view;
    }

    public function output() {
        $data = $this->model->getMessage();
        $this->view->display($data);
    }
}
?>

Sample Program

This program shows how MVC works: the Controller asks the Model for data, then tells the View to display it.

PHP

<?php
// MVC example in PHP

class Model {
    public function getData() {
        return 'Welcome to MVC!';
    }
}

class View {
    public function render($data) {
        echo "<h2>$data</h2>";
    }
}

class Controller {
    private $model;
    private $view;

    public function __construct($model, $view) {
        $this->model = $model;
        $this->view = $view;
    }

    public function show() {
        $data = $this->model->getData();
        $this->view->render($data);
    }
}

$model = new Model();
$view = new View();
$controller = new Controller($model, $view);
$controller->show();
?>

Important Notes

MVC helps keep code organized and easier to maintain.

Each part has a clear job: Model for data, View for display, Controller for logic.

You can change the View without touching the Model or Controller.

Summary

MVC splits code into Model, View, and Controller.

This separation makes programs easier to build and change.

Controllers connect Models and Views to handle user actions and display data.