# 'State' instead of 'Model'?

**URL:** <https://discourse.elm-lang.org/t/state-instead-of-model/2723>\
**Category:** Request Feedback\
**Created:** [December 7, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/t/state-instead-of-model/2723 "2018-12-07T01:04:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![nqthqn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.elm-lang.org/nqthqn/32/374_2.png) [@nqthqn](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/u/nqthqn)\
**Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/t/state-instead-of-model/2723/22 "2018-12-12T16:20:52Z")

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A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But naming conventions are important. They reduce mental overhead when understanding source code. They reduce pointless debates when reviewing code.

This discussion has more to do with shared language and definitions of words than it does with programming. The fact that the guide calls it a `Model`, the inventor calls it a `Model` all the tutorials on the internet call it a `Model` and folks in the #beginners channel on slack refer to it as the `Model` is a strong indicator to use the term. It’s shared language — which is what communication is all about.

But what about sharing language with newcomers? This is important too — many have commented that they immediately refer to the Model as the application state. I do not. In the Angular world state can be local to components. So I stay away from the term state. Instead I explain the `Model` is the **central data structure for your application, is represented to the user in the `view` function and is moved forward in the `update` function**. It’s important to model it correctly. Modeling is what the Model is all about! State is a major part of it — but again, I don’t think it’s helpful to focus on it because in the javascript world many times state is not central, updating state is not pure, mutable state is allowed etc.

Many fun words got defined before Elm hit the scene in 2012:

> **[Definition of MODEL](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/model)**
>
> a set of plans for a building; copy, image; structural design… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of MESSAGE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/message)**
>
> a communication in writing, in speech, or by signals; a messenger's mission; an underlying theme or idea… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of VIEW](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/view)**
>
> extent or range of vision : sight; the act of seeing or examining : inspection; also : survey; a mode or manner of looking at or regarding something… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of UPDATE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/update)**
>
> to bring up to date; to change (something) by including the most recent information; to make (something) more modern… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of INITIALIZE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initialize)**
>
> to set (something, such as a computer program counter) to a starting position, value, or configuration… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of STATE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/state)**
>
> mode or condition of being; condition of mind or temperament; a condition of abnormal tension or excitement… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of SOURCE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/source)**
>
> a generative force : cause; a point of origin or procurement : beginning; one that initiates : author; also : prototype, model… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of STORE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/store)**
>
> lay away, accumulate; furnish, supply; especially : to stock against a future time; to place or leave in a location (such as a warehouse, library, or computer memory) for preservation or later use or disposal… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of EVENT](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/event)**
>
> outcome; the final outcome or determination of a legal action; a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of ACTION](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/action)**
>
> a thing done : deed; the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition; behavior, conduct… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of MODE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mode)**
>
> an arrangement of the eight diatonic notes or tones of an octave according to one of several fixed schemes of their intervals; a rhythmical scheme (as in 13th and 14th century music); mood:2… See the full definition

  

> **[Definition of BLUEPRINT](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blueprint)**
>
> a photographic print in white on a bright blue ground or blue on a white ground used especially for copying maps, mechanical drawings, and architects' plans… See the full definition

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**Author:** ![reitzig](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.elm-lang.org/reitzig/32/635_2.png) [@reitzig](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/u/reitzig)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2018, 8:53am UTC](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/t/state-instead-of-model/2723/23 "2018-12-13T08:53:02Z")

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That’s actually an unhelpful analogy since the model in MVC does _not_ capture all application state (only “data”), while Elm’s model _does_.

“State” is also taught in schools, usually along the lines of “program counter, register content, memory content” (ignoring other I/O). That’s much closer to what `Model` is in Elm.

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/uploads/elm_lang/original/1X/50a05e53677a2c3b47776d7abd0f113eb50193a1.png) [@system](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 8:53am UTC](https://discourse.elm-lang.org/t/state-instead-of-model/2723/24 "2018-12-23T08:53:16Z")

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