Question

I am a little confused as to the definition of classes as Models or Views in the Sketch example AppKit application (found at /Developer/Examples/AppKit/Sketch). The classes SKTRectangle, SKTCircle etc. are considered Model classes but they have drawing code.

I am under the impression that Models should be free of any view/drawing code.

Can someone clarify this?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The developer of Sketch outlines his/her rationale a bit in the ReadMe file:

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Model-View-Controller Design

The Model layer of Sketch is mainly the SKTGraphic class and its subclasses. A Sketch Document is made up of a list of SKTGraphics. SKTGraphics are mainly data-bearing classes. Each graphic keeps all the information required to represent whatever kind of graphic it is. The SKTGraphic class defines a set of primitive methods for modifying a graphic and some of the subclasses add new primitives of their own. The SKTGraphic class also defines some extended methods for modifying a graphic which are implemented in terms of the primitives.

The SKTGraphic class defines a set of methods that allow it to draw itself. While this may not strictly seem like it should be part of the model, keep in mind that what we are modelling is a collection of visual objects. Even though a SKTGraphic knows how to render itself within a view, it is not a view itself.

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I don’t know if that is a satisfying answer for you or not. My personal experience with MVC is that while separation of model, view and controller is a ‘good thing’ oftentimes in practice the lines between layers become blurred. I think compromises of design are frequently made for convenience.

For Sketch in particular, it makes sense to me that the model knows how to draw itself inside a view. The alternative to having each SKTGraphic subclass knowing how to draw itself would be to have a view class with knowledge of each SKTGraphic subclass and how to render it. In this case, adding a new SKTGraphic subclass would require editing the view class (adding a new clause to an if/else or switch statement, likely). WIth the current design, an SKTGraphic subclass can be added with no changes required to the view classes to get things working.