Week 2 MVC, Frameworks & Wireframing – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the essential terms introduced in the lecture on MVC architecture, web frameworks, and wireframing concepts.

What MVC stands for

Model View Controller

Model View Controller

A software architectural design pattern that separates an application into three interconnected components—Model, View, and Controller—to organize code by responsibility.

Model

The backend component that handles data logic, interacts with the database (CRUD operations), and communicates results to the controller.

View

The frontend or graphical user interface that displays data to the user; receives dynamic values from the controller.

Controller

The component that receives user input, processes requests, obtains data from the model, and passes it to the view, managing overall application flow.

Framework

A pre-built structure containing tools and libraries that provide a foundation for building applications, promoting code reuse and handling common tasks.

Front-End Framework

A framework used to build the client-side/user interface of a web application (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js).

Back-End Framework

A framework used on the server side to handle functionality such as database interaction, authentication, and routing (e.g., Express.js, Django, Spring Boot).

React.js

A JavaScript front-end library/framework for building user interfaces using reusable components.

Angular

A TypeScript-based front-end framework maintained by Google for building single-page applications.

Vue.js

A progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces with an approachable core library focused on the view layer.

Express.js

A minimal and flexible Node.js back-end framework providing robust features for web and API development.

Django

A high-level Python back-end framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.

Spring Boot

A Java-based back-end framework that simplifies the creation of standalone, production-ready Spring applications.

Router (in MVC example)

A mechanism that maps URL patterns to specific controller actions, directing incoming requests to the correct handler.

Scalability

The ability of a system or framework to handle growth in users or data without performance loss.

Wireframe

A visual blueprint or skeleton showing what users will see and interact with on a website or app before detailed design or development.

Low-Fidelity Wireframe

A simple schematic focusing on layout, navigation, and information architecture without detailed visuals; often created quickly for brainstorming.

High-Fidelity Wireframe

A detailed mock-up resembling the final product’s visual design elements but still lacking full functionality.

Figma

An online collaborative design tool commonly used to create high-fidelity wireframes, prototypes, and UI designs.

Balsamiq

A rapid wireframing tool specialized for creating low-fidelity wireframes emphasizing structure over visual detail.