User Interfaces

User Interfaces

1. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

   • It is a interface that allows the user to interact with the device using icons and visual indicators.
   • We normally use this type of interface on our computers.
   • Disadvantages: takes up a larger amount of hard disk space than others, they need significantly more memory to run, they use more processing power.
   • Advantages: easy to use, easy to find your way around the system, dont have to remember complicated commands.

2. Command Line Interface

   • A command Line Interface allows the user to interact directly with the computer sysytem by typing in commands.
   • Advantages: if the user knows the commands it is much faster, it needs much less memory, doesnt use as much CPU processing time
   • Disadvantages: it can be very confusing, commands have to be types precisely, if you mis-type an istruction, it is often neccessary to start from scratch
   • Linux and Unix use this type of interface.

3. Menu Driven Interface

   • This type of interface lets you interact with a computer or device by working your way through a series of screens or menus.
   • Ipods, mobile phones, ATMs
   • Advantages; easy to use, no command to learn or remember, they dont need huge amounts of processing power or memory
   • Disadvantages: a poorly designed interface may be slow to use, users might be bored or annoyed if there are too many menu screens, it can take up a large part of the screen.