Question

I am using MVC 3. I am trying to get my head around the services layer and the service. I am currently working through the sample app that comes with the DoFactory source code. This question is based on the sample application, but in general.

There is a service layer (WCF) that exposes a set of service methods. The service layer implements a single point of entry (the Façade pattern) through which all communication with the layers below must occur. The Façade is the entry point into the business layer and exposes a very simple, course-grained API.

Lets says I am trying to get a list of clients, then in the MVC controller it will call the repository’s GetCustomers method, then this will call the service layers GetCustomers method.

I think I am a bit confused here. Is this application architecture correct? Shouldn’t the controller call the service layer’s method and then this call repository’s method. I always thought that the repository was always the last method called to get data?

Please can someone help clarify this?

Answer 1

Your architecture is correct.

I always thought that the repository was always the last method called to get data?

Yes, in your case the data comes from a WCF service but it could be anything: SQL database, XML file, …