# What exactly is a controller?

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-controller/83805>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [January 29, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-controller/83805 "2007-01-29T22:10:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/libsfan01)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-controller/83805/1 "2007-01-29T22:10:43Z")

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hi im new to ROR and although i know how to work with controllers I’m  
having difficulty understanding what exactly they are and why they are  
used? please help enlighten me 🙂

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**Author:** ![libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/libsfan01)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-controller/83805/2 "2007-01-29T22:14:44Z")

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Googling “model view controller” will provide myriad answers.

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**Author:** ![libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@libsfan01](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/libsfan01)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 7:11am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-controller/83805/3 "2007-01-30T07:11:00Z")

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Controllers receive events from the outside world (i/p) , interact  
with d model , & dispaly an appropriate view to user .

ie. transfers job to appropriate action.