Small MVC-Style App

A small MVC-style app separates HTTP handling, application decisions, persistence, and templates. Refactor the catalog app you already built; do not start again from an abstract folder diagram.

Move One Vertical Slice First

Start with the product list:

request
-> router
-> ProductController::index()
-> ProductRepository::list()
-> templates/products/index.php
-> response

Once the list works, move create, edit, and delete flows one at a time. Keep each change runnable before moving the next flow.

Use A Small Directory Shape

src/
  Controller/ProductController.php
  Repository/ProductRepository.php
  Service/CreateProduct.php
templates/products/
public/index.php
tests/

The repository owns SQL. The controller translates HTTP input and chooses a response. A focused service is useful when a use case has rules or several collaborators; do not add a service that merely forwards one method call.

Build Dependencies Once

Create dependencies near the front controller:

<?php

$repository = new ProductRepository($pdo);
$controller = new ProductController($repository);

Pass dependencies explicitly. This is enough for the learning project and prepares you to recognize a framework container later.

Verify Common Changes

Ask where you would add a product field, a validation rule, a new SQL filter, an authorization check, and a markup change. Each answer should have an obvious home.