The term was created in the 1970s to distinguish graphical interfaces from text-based ones, such as command-line interfaces. It allows the user to interact with devices through graphical icons and visual indicators such as secondary notations. Operators use a pointing device (such as a mouse, touchpad or trackball) to control a pointer on the screen which then interacts with other on-screen elements. Graphical user interfaces (GUI) are sometimes also referred to as WIMP because they use Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. Screenshot from the MS DOS operating system using a command line interface. This type of interface has the drawback that it requires the operator to remember a range of different commands and is not ideal for novice users. It involves the computer responding to commands typed by the operator. There are five main types of user interface:Ĭommand Line Interface Ĭommand line interfaces are the oldest of the interfaces discussed here.

There are different ways of interacting with computer systems which have evolved over the years.

It handles the interaction between the user and the system. User interface - The features of a computer system which allows the user to interact with it.Ī user interface, also sometimes called a human-computer interface, comprises both hardware and software components.

Names for the mac os gui interfaces