Final answer:
The MVC pattern's model includes PHP files that handle the data of an application. These models manage data, business logic, interactions with databases, and encapsulate the core functional rules of the application.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you use the MVC pattern, the model consists of the PHP files that work with and represent the data of the application. A model in the context of the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architectural pattern is a component that manages the data and business logic of the application. It is responsible for retrieving data from databases, saving data, and performing any necessary processing.
The model layer is where the core functionality of the application resides. For instance, if the application needs to calculate sales tax, the logic for this would be embedded within a model. The model communicates with the database and/or other data sources and encapsulates the rules and logic needed to manage the information that the application operates on.