Singlecontroller

Singlecontroller, or single-controller, is a term used in software architecture and web development to describe a design in which a single controller component handles multiple user actions or routes, rather than assigning a separate controller for each resource or context. In practice, this approach often overlaps with variations of the front controller pattern, where one entry point receives all requests and dispatches them to the appropriate action handlers within the same controller or related components.

Implementation usually involves a central routing mechanism that maps requests to specific methods or handlers inside one controller class or module. This can simplify routing tables and allow cross-cutting concerns such as authentication, logging, and request preprocessing to be implemented in one place. However, the single controller can become large and complex as more actions are added, potentially violating the single responsibility principle.

Advantages of a single-controller approach include centralized control over request handling, easier enforcement of uniform preprocessing and security checks, and reduced boilerplate in small applications. Drawbacks include reduced modularity, increased difficulty in testing and maintaining a growing controller, and potential for tight coupling between unrelated actions.

When to use this pattern depends on context. It can be suitable for small applications, rapid prototyping, or scenarios where many related actions share common logic. As an application evolves, teams often refactor toward more modular designs with multiple controllers or a service layer to preserve maintainability and testability. Related concepts include the front controller pattern and traditional MVC controller organization.