Architecture

When designing a Windows Forms application, you have several architectural patterns to choose from. The common ones are:

Model-View-Controller (MVC):

  • Description: MVC separates the application into three components:
    • Model: Represents the data and business logic.
    • View: Handles the presentation and user interface.
    • Controller: Manages user input and communicates between the Model and View.
  • Pros:
    • Clear separation of concerns.
    • Reusable components.
    • Supports unit testing.
  • Cons:
    • Can become complex for small applications.
    • Requires careful design to avoid tight coupling.
  • Use Case: Suitable for medium to large applications with complex interactions.

Clean Architecture:

  • Description: Clean Architecture emphasizes separation of concerns and independence from external frameworks.
  • Entities: Represent core business logic.
  • Use Cases (Interactors): Application-specific business rules.
  • Interfaces (Gateways): Define external interfaces (e.g., database, UI).
    • Frameworks & Drivers: External frameworks and tools (e.g., Windows Forms, databases).
    • Pros:
      • Highly modular and testable.
      • Adaptable to changes in external frameworks.
      • Focuses on business logic.
    • Cons:
      • Initial setup complexity.
      • May be overkill for small projects.
    • Use Case: Suitable for large, long-lived applications with evolving requirements.