Joined the Dark Side and Loving It

A while back now I had a friendly debate with a colleague. It began innocently in a pub on a Friday night and it was Web Forms vrs MVC in the DotNet framework. I was anti-MVC for various reasons and in some sense I could still make an argument against MVC. We escalated our debate to a more public forum where we took the topic to the masses and presented our two sides. We created the exact same projects in our chosen DotNet platforms ( me in Web Forms and he was in MVC ) and we presented the projects. We talked about what we thought were the plus sides of what we chose and why. Before the debate I posted a question on LinkedIn for feedback and the feedback seemed positive for Web Forms. At the end of the debate, we asked our audience to make a choice based on their experience and what they had seen and Web Forms won.

Here is my original post: link

Now; I have recently switched companies ( 3ish months ago ) and I am now working as a MVC Developer converting a windows application to SaaS ( Software as a Service ). I am doing everything I love. Research and Development, Web Development, Software Development and much more. Now MVC Developer though? Yes, I have joined the dark side of DotNet and I love it. MVC development has its place and I see it very clearly.

Some of the benefits are:

  • More modularized which makes it easier for development teams to work together.
  • Far easier to implement jQuery AJAX ( I do not like the built in Ajax Forms )
  • Easier to implement a web design from a web design company
  • Easier to divide work between modules, front-end and back-end.
  • Easier to adapt to existing libraries when migrating to it
  • Routes are more natural
  • When you know MVC, you will know HTML, jQuery, middle tier development and back end development

There are far more benefits and I could keep going…

Now that being said; I can list more confidently the issues I have with MVC:

  • Creates more files and lines of code
  • Creates more layers than an onion
  • New developers can easily get lost in the code
  • More difficult for setting up on a web server
  • Development is a touch slower
  • Not great for small projects

With all that being said; I love MVC. I would not argue against it even though I could. I love web forms, but I would rather be doing MVC now.

Andrew Pallant (@LdnDeveloper) has been a web, database and desktop developer for over 16 years. Andrew has worked on projects that ranged from factory automation to writing business applications. Most recently he has been heavily involved in various forms for ecommerce projects. Over the years Andrew has worn many hats: Project Manager, IT Manager, Lead Developer, Supervisor of Developers and many more - See more at: http://www.unlatched.com/#sthash.8DiTkpKy.dpuf

Posted in DotNet, Personal Learning and Growth, Personal Thoughts, Web