User Interface

User Interface User Interface

What is a User Interface What is a User Interface

A user interface is a link between the user A user interface is a link between the user and the computer. It allows the user and and the computer. It allows the user and the computer to communicate with each the computer to communicate with each other. other.

What is a User InterfaceWhat is a User Interface

The user interface control the way how The user interface control the way how data and instruction are entered (input) data and instruction are entered (input) into the computer and how the computer into the computer and how the computer present information on the screen (output). present information on the screen (output).

The main types of user interfaces The main types of user interfaces are:are:

Command Driven Command Driven

Graphical User Interface Graphical User Interface

Command Driven Command Driven

The Command Driven Interface is text-The Command Driven Interface is text-based interface, where the user types in based interface, where the user types in commands via the keyboard. Commands commands via the keyboard. Commands usually are typed one line at a time.usually are typed one line at a time.

Examples of command Driven Interface Examples of command Driven Interface are MS DOS, Linux and Unixare MS DOS, Linux and Unix

Command driven Interface Command driven Interface

Advantages of Command Advantages of Command Driven InterfaceDriven Interface

Faster than using Menus and Icons on a GUI interface.Faster than using Menus and Icons on a GUI interface. Less memory required, because of no graphics on the Less memory required, because of no graphics on the

interface.interface. Works on computers with limited hardware and software.Works on computers with limited hardware and software. Experienced users can use this system faster than Experienced users can use this system faster than

others.others. Complex commands can be entered to customise the Complex commands can be entered to customise the

operating system for a particular user.operating system for a particular user. Does not require a Windows Operating system to work.Does not require a Windows Operating system to work.

Disadvantages of Command Disadvantages of Command Driven InterfaceDriven Interface

People with limited knowledge of DOS may find People with limited knowledge of DOS may find the interface confusing and hard to use.the interface confusing and hard to use.

Errors in commands can cause the operation to Errors in commands can cause the operation to fail and can be very time consuming.fail and can be very time consuming.

Any errors in typing will require the user to re-type Any errors in typing will require the user to re-type command. This time consuming and frustrating.command. This time consuming and frustrating.

Commands have to be learnt, especially in UNIX Commands have to be learnt, especially in UNIX where there are hundreds.where there are hundreds.

The interface is not attractive compared to a GUI The interface is not attractive compared to a GUI interface.interface.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Graphical User interface (GUI) is a type of Graphical User interface (GUI) is a type of interface that allows the user to control a interface that allows the user to control a computer’s input, storage and output computer’s input, storage and output through graphical elements. through graphical elements.



These elements include These elements include WWindows, indows, IIcons, cons, MMenus, enus, PPointers (ointers (WIMPWIMP) displayed on ) displayed on screen and selectable by ‘pointing and screen and selectable by ‘pointing and clicking’ a mouse.clicking’ a mouse.

WindowWindow

A window is that part of the screen that A window is that part of the screen that holds its own document or message. holds its own document or message.

Icon Icon

An Icon is a image that represents a An Icon is a image that represents a command, files and directory (folders). command, files and directory (folders).

Menu Menu

Menu is a list of options which the user Menu is a list of options which the user may select an operation to be preformed. may select an operation to be preformed.

MenuMenu

There are two main types of menuThere are two main types of menu

1.1. Pull Down Pull Down

2.2. Pop UpPop Up

PointerPointer Pointer is a type of icon, usually a small Pointer is a type of icon, usually a small

arrow that moves on the screen in arrow that moves on the screen in response to the movement of a pointing response to the movement of a pointing device (for example a mouse).device (for example a mouse).


Examples of Graphical User Interface Examples of Graphical User Interface (GUI) are Windows 95/98, NT, ME, 2000, (GUI) are Windows 95/98, NT, ME, 2000, and XPand XP

Command Driven Interface Command Driven Interface Verses Verses

Graphical User Interface (GUI)Graphical User Interface (GUI)Command Driven Command Driven

Interface Interface (Disadvantages)(Disadvantages)

Graphical User Graphical User Interface (GUI) Interface (GUI) (Advantages)(Advantages)

Difficult to understand Difficult to understand and useand use

Easy to understand Easy to understand and useand use

Not very attractiveNot very attractive Very attractiveVery attractive

Mono-colouredMono-coloured Multi-colouredMulti-coloured

Not user-friendlyNot user-friendly User-friendlyUser-friendly

Command Driven Interface Command Driven Interface Verses Verses


Command Driven Command Driven Interface Interface (Advantages)(Advantages)

Graphical User Interface Graphical User Interface (GUI) (GUI) (Disadvantages)(Disadvantages)

Faster than using Menus and Icons on a GUI interface.

Slower than using Slower than using Command driven Command driven interfaceinterface

Less memory required More memory is requiredMore memory is required

Needs limited hardware and software to work

Needs a lot of hardware Needs a lot of hardware and software to workand software to work

Home WorkHome Work

1.1. State the difference between Pull Down State the difference between Pull Down menu and Pop Up menu.menu and Pop Up menu.

2.2. Outline three differences between Outline three differences between command driven interface and graphical command driven interface and graphical user interface.user interface.

3.3. State which user interface you prefer and State which user interface you prefer and give your reasons.give your reasons.

Documents

User Interface