The document discusses different patterns for modeling data in Sitecore applications, including active record, data mapper, and wrapper patterns. It notes pros and cons of each pattern, such as active record being simple to use but difficult to test. Common problems with domain models like anemic, bloated, skinny, and indiscreet models are also covered. The document concludes with an overview of techniques like interface models, template models, rendering models, and MVC/MVP patterns.

1. Glass V4, More Info For
Your Solution
Mike Edwards
Glass
@mikeedwards83
@glasslu
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 1

2. Glass V4, More Info For
Your Solution
Modeling
Mike Edwards
Glass
@mikeedwards83
@glasslu
Sitecore User Group Conference 2015 2

3. Hello!
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Mike
Edwards
Sitecore MVP
@mikeedwards83
@glasslu

4. Modelling
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NOT THIS KIND

5. Modelling
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THIS KIND

6. Modelling
• Different Patterns
• Common Mistakes
• Techniques
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7. Common Patterns
• Active Record
• Data Mapping
• Wrapping
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8. Active Record Pattern
In software engineering, the active record pattern is an
architectural pattern found in software that stores in-memory
object data in relational databases. The interface of an object
conforming to this pattern would include functions such as
Insert, Update, and Delete.
- Wiki, Martin Fowler
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9. Active Record Pattern
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The Example

10. Active Record Pattern - Pro’s
Simple to use:
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11. Active Record Pattern - Pro’s
Simple to pass around:
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12. Hidden side effects:
Active Record Pattern - Con’s
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Surprise!!
Pointless

13. Active Record Pattern - Cons
Coupled to data source:
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14. Active Record Pattern - Con’s
Complex:
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15. Active Record Pattern - Con’s
Hard to test:
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How do we
mock this??
Ask the FakeDB
Guys

16. Data Mapper Pattern
Data Mapper is a Data Access Layer that performs bidirectional
transfer of data between a persistent data store (often a
relational database) and an in memory data representation (the
domain layer). The goal of the pattern is to keep the in memory
representation and the persistent data store independent of
each other and the data mapper itself.
- Wiki, Martin Fowler
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17. Data Mapper Pattern
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The Example

18. Data Mapper Pattern
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The Example

19. Data Mapper Pattern
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The Example

20. Data Mapper Pattern
Simple Models
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21. Data Mapper Pattern - Pro’s
Easy Testing
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22. Data Mapper Pattern - Pro’s
Clear Separation
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My World Their World

23. Data Mapper Pattern - Pro’s
Store Anywhere
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24. Data Mapper Pattern - Pro’s
Clear Control
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Hello!!

25. Data Mapper Pattern - Con’s
Map Unused Data
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26. Data Mapper Pattern - Con’s
Expensive Upfront
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27. Data Mapper Pattern - Con’s
Disconnection from source
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Where the hell did you
come from?

28. Wrappers Models
Wraps the underlying data source and converts the data on
demand. The internal model contains a reference to the original
data source which it uses to perform data conversion.
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29. Wrappers Models
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30. Wrappers Models - Pro’s
Cheap Up Front
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No work done here!
Only accessed properties
require conversion.

31. Wrappers Models - Pro’s
Hidden State Changes
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What happens if this
changes

32. Wrappers Models - Pro’s
Hidden State Changes
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Are these the same?

33. Wrappers Models - Con’s
Testing Difficulty
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Can’t test because
of this.
Have to write
data conversion code
Need to understand
this

34. Wrappers Models - Meet my partner
Coupling
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I ask for this

35. Wrappers Models - Meet my partner
Coupling
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I get this

36. Common Problems
• Anemic domain model
• Bloated domain model
• Skinny domain model
• Indiscreet domain model
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37. Anemic Domain Model
Anemic domain model is the use of a software domain model
where the domain objects contain little or no business logic
(validations, calculations, business rules etc).
- Wiki, Martin Fowler
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38. Anemic Domain Model - Example
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Feed Me!!

39. Anemic Domain Model
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40. Bloated Domain Model
A Bloated Domain Model is the use of a software domain model
that contains a large number of properties that are never access
or required by the application.
- Mike E
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41. Bloated Domain Model
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42. Bloated Domain Model
Fixed
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43. Skinny Domain Model
A Skinny Domain Model is the use of a software domain model
that contains one or very few properties.
- Mike
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44. Skinny Domain Model
Skinny Domain model
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45. Skinny Domain Model
Fixed
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USE THE RAW API!

46. Indiscreet Domain Model
A Indiscreet Domain Model is the use of a software domain
model that exposes all it’s properties publically even if they
should or should not be accessed by external code.
- Mike E
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47. Indiscreet Domain Model
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48. Indiscreet Domain Model
Fixed
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49. Techniques
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• Interface Models
• Template Models
• Rendering Models
• MVC
• MVP

50. Interface Models
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Domain models defined using interfaces only. Interface are
dynamically implemented at run time using a proxy framework.

51. Interface Models
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52. Interface Models
• Multiple Inheritance
• Very little code
• Often Anemic
• Indiscreet
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53. Interface Models
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Spoofing Logic

54. Template Models
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55. Template Models
• Code generation friendly
• Easy to sync
• Bloated
• Indiscreet
• Anemic
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56. Rendering Models
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57. Rendering Models
• Use case specific
• Minimum number of properties
• Custom methods
• Model explosion
• Magic Properties Problem
• Skinny
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58. MVC Models
Model–view–controller (MVC) is a software architectural
pattern for implementing user interfaces. It divides a given
software application into three interconnected parts, so as to
separate internal representations of information from the ways
that information is presented to or accepted from the user.
- - Wiki
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59. MVC Models
What do we pass to the view?
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60. MVC Models
The View Model
• Explicitly defines the contract
• Easy to expand
• Use convention
• Separates Domain from View
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61. MVC Models
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Easy to find

62. MVC Models
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Easy to identify!

63. And don’t forget MVP!
MVP is a user interface architectural pattern engineered to
facilitate automated unit testing and improve the separation of
concerns in presentation logic.
- Wiki
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64. MVP
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65. MVP is similar to MVC
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66. MVP or MVC?
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67. Finished!!
Questions?
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68. 68
Find Me:
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Mike
Edwards
Sitecore MVP
@mikeedwards83
@glasslu
mike@glass.lu

69. [Reserved for sponsor logo’s]
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Thank you