Do MVC action methods require views?

Question

Do action methods require a view file (.cshtml)?

Do I have to create one for each method I create, or is it optional?

For example, if I do an HTTP post, and do a redirect to a different action method, a view file is not required, is this correct?

An ActionResult can return numerous types [refer this answer](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1267043/all-inbuilt-actionresults-in-asp-net-mvc). It depend what you want to do. Not sure what you mean by the last statement. If your doing a post, then it implies you have a view to post from, so the associated GET method would return a view. — , Feb 06 '15 at 02:09
Sometimes I am posting a form from a partialview file, that is why I ask, that is nested within another view. — user1929393, Feb 06 '15 at 02:15
You only need a view if your method needs to return a view (i.e. you use `return View();` — , Feb 06 '15 at 02:21

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 06 '15 at 02:52

Correct. You don't need a view for an action.

In MVC, an action is whatever you make of it; it's taking a request, performing an action and returning a response.

What you do in the action is up to you, and there is no requirement for a view to exist or for you to return one.

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