User Interfaces

User Interfaces

1. GUI

   • Advantages
     • Easy to navigate and extremely user friendly
     • You don't have to remember commands
     • Simple and not complicated.
     • Visual representation of file allocations ect.
   • Common Uses
     • Operating Systems
     • Programs
     • Websites
   • Explanation
     • This uses a graphical user interface. By supplying actions and commands with icons and pictures which help the user navigate the program.
   • Disadvantages
     • Requires more computer resources.
     • Takes longer to implement
     • Additional software

2. Command Line Interface

   • Advantages
     • Control every aspect of your computer if you know the commands
     • Everything is accessible in one place
     • Doesn't require alot of computer resources i.e RAM and CPU
   • Disadvantages
     • Not a nice visual representation. (NOT GUI)
     • Huge learning curve compared to GUI
     • Many of the advantages are mainly for Linux, not so much for Windows
   • Common Uses
     • Old Operating Systems i.e MS DOS
     • Good to learn to help coding
     • Making programs and also such things as Dreamweaver to create websites or Notepad ++
   • Explanation
     • This is to command a computer by inputing text which the computer translates to commands so it performs actions accordingly.

3. Menu Based

   • Advantages
     • Most end-users are quite familiar with using menus to issue commands to a program
     • Menu's are a convenient way to bundle related common commands
     • Helps the user select exactly what they want
   • Disadvantages
     • You need extra coding
     • Can have too many commands and sub menus
   • Common Uses
     • Mobile Phones
     • TV EPG
   • Explanation
     • This is a menu driven interface which requires the user to select a option from a thing such as a drop down menu or just a static one