User Interfaces

User Interfaces

1. Graphical User Interfaces

   • Visual and interactive
     • They are GUIs. These include WIMP (Windows, Icon, Menus and Pointers but modern GUIs have finger print system for touch screen.
   • Advantages
     • Easy to use for beginners
     • Easy to find the way around the system when using GUIs and WIMP interface.
     • You do not have to learn complicated commands.
     • There are usually help systems when using WIMP.
     • You can exchange data between different applications.
   • Disadvantages
     • GUIs take up more space on the hard disk than other interfaces.
     • They need a lot more RAM to run than other types of interface.
     • They use more processing power than other types of interface.
     • They can be slow for programmers to use. CLI is much faster to use.

2. Command Line Interfaces

   • Text based and need specific commands to work.
   • Advantages
     • If the user knows the commands then it can be much faster than a GUI.
     • It needs much less RAM compared to other interfaces.
     • It doesn't use as much CPU processing time as others.
     • A cheaper monitor can be used as it has low resolution.
     • A CLI does not need windows to run.
   • Disadvantages
     • It can confusing to beginners.
     • Commands have to typed perfectly otherwise it will fail.
     • If you miss type an instruction then you have to start from scratch.
     • There are a large number of instructions that need to be learnt.
     • You can't just guess the instruction.