GUIs and CLIs

GUIs and CLIs

1. Graphical user interface

   • Advantages
     • Easy to use for beginners
     • Don't have to learn complicated commands.
     • Easy to explore and in your way around a system with WIMP/GUI interface
     • Get the benefits of WYSIWYG
       • What you see is what you get
     • Usually a reasonable help system in place with WIMP
     • let you exchange data between different software applications
   • Disadvantages
     • Takes up a larger amount of space on the hard disk then any other type of interface
     • Use more processing power then any other interface
     • Can be slower for more experienced programmers. (They often find CLI faster)
     • need significantly more memory (RAM)to run compared to other interface

2. Command line interface

   • Advantages
     • CLI does not require windows to run
     • Low resolution, cheaper monitor can be used for this interface.
     • Does not use as much CPU processing time as others.
     • Needs much less memory (RAM) in order to use compared to other interfaces.
     • If user knows correct command this interface can be much faster then others.
   • Disadvantages
     • Can be confusing to use, if user has not used before
     • Commands have to be typed precisely. E>G if spelling error command will fail.
     • If an instruction is mis typed, it may be necessary to start from scratch.
     • Large number of commands that need to be learned. In unix there are hundreds.
     • Can't just guess or have a go at what the instruction may be