Topic: User Interface What Is A User Interface?

TOPIC: USER INTERFACE
What is a user interface?
A User Interface, also referred to as a UI or simply interface, can be thought of as a link between
a user and a computer. It is a method by which humans and computer exchange information. It
allows the user to and the computer to communicate with each other. The goal of the user
interface is to be easy to use while allowing tasks to be performed efficiently. The user interface
is the means by which a person (user) controls software applications or hardware devices.
Categories of User interface
There are two main categories of user interface, namely: software interface and hardware
interface.
Software Interfaces
Software interface refers to the languages and codes that the applications use to communicate
with each other and with the hardware.
Types of Software Interfaces

There are three main types of software Interfaces:
1. Command Driven Interface/ Command Line Interface

This is the oldest type of user interface and maybe the least user friendly normally used
on MS-DOS. It does not have any fancy buttons or graphics found in a GUI. As the name
suggests, commands are accepted from a user who instructs the computer what tasks to
do. An interaction with a computer using a command driven interface usually follows
these two steps.
A. The user type the command. for example: dir

B. The computer then carries out the command after which a result is displayed.
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2. Menu Driven User Interface:
This interface requires the user to interact with the computer by selecting various
options from a list of choices called a menu.
There are two types of menu driven user interface: a pull/drop down and a pop-up
1. Pull/Drop Down menu

The pull down menu is one where the items in the list to be selected drops down
when the menu selected. In other words another menu is displayed below the one
selected.
2. Pop-up menu
The pop up menu is one where items in the list pops-up when the menu is selected. In
other words another menu is displayed above the one selected.
3. Graphical user interface (GUI)

Instead of having the user to memorize and then type in commands, a graphical
user interface displays all the available options by taking advantage of the graphical
capabilities of the screen. It allows the user to choose an option by clicking on the
icon that represents it.
 With a Graphical User Interface (GUI) the user interacts with the computer by
using a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball.
 GUI uses a graphical display with a combination of menus, buttons, icons and other
graphical images to give commands.
 It is considered to be the most user-friendly user interface.
 It is easier for a person to remember the graphical object and what it represents than
to remember some keyword.
 The most popular form of GUI is a WIMP system.

 Window- eg calculator
 Icon- eg Start button
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 Menu- eg pop up/ pull down menu
 Pointer- eg symbol such as arrow moved by a pointing device
Advantages and Disadvantages
User Interface Advantages Disadvantages
Command Driven -Quick to use as long as the - Not suitable for new users
user is familiar with them - Require knowing the
- Can be used on a computer commands to work quickly
which has very little memory and efficiently
and is slow - Error messages are not
- commands are executed usually helpful
faster by the processor -can be unfriendly &
confusing
Menu Driven - commands can be entered - user may have to switch
from various input devices screens to access a menu
- easy to use as user does not -
need to remember commands
as they are selected from a
list of options
Graphical User Interface -user friendly - takes up a lot of disc space
- best suited for beginners - need to run on a fast
- most operations are self- computer. If the computer is
explanatory so user does not slow GUI may work slow or
need to remember commands none at all.
- GUIs are often WYSIWYG - require a lot of RAM
- more than 1 program
running at the same time
Hardware Interfaces
Hardware interface refers to the physical devices use to communicate with each other.
Hardware Interfaces
1. Touch screens
To communicate with the computer, the user touches the display of the device by a finger or
stylus. This interface incorporates aspects of GUI and allows the user to make selections and
send commands by touching icons on the screen. The interface is used for both input and
output, since you view information and the options available to you on the screen.
2. Non-visual interfaces
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This type of interface utilizes audio (sound) and gestures (head, hand and device) to send
commands and make selections.
3. Sensors
This type of interface utilizes changes (chemical or physical) in the environment to
communicate with the computer.
4. Braille keyboards
This device aids the blind in communicating with the computer. The keys have raised dots
which represent different characters.
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Class Activity 1- User Interface Quiz
This section will be completed in the form of an online quiz, which can be accessed at
ittcga.blogspot.com. The questions are available here just in case something goes wrong with the
given link.
1. What does the abbreviation ‘GUI’ stands for?

2. Which user interface allows the user to interact with the computer by typing instructions?
3. Who are command line interfaces best used by?
4. Which operating system makes extensive use of a command line interface?
5. Which interface usually allows you to choose an option by clicking on the icon that
represents it?
6. Which would be the most suitable user interface for a student to use when producing a
report and why?
7. Which would be the most suitable interface for a computer programmer to use in order to
access files quickly?
8. What does the abbreviation ‘WYSIWYG’ stands for and which interface is associated
with it?
9. What does the W in WIMP stands for?
10. Draw simple diagrams to represent each type of software interface.
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References
Birbal, R., & Michelle, T. (2005). Log on to IT for CSEC. England: Longman.
Blades, R., & Gay, G. (2009). Oxford Information Technology for CSEC. New York:
Oxford University Press. (p. )
Teach-ICT. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teach-
ict.com/gcse_new/computer%20systems/user_interface/miniweb/index.htm

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TOPIC: USER INTERFACE

What is a user interface?

Categories of User interface

Types of Software Interfaces

1. Command Driven Interface/ Command Line Interface

A. The user type the command. for example: dir

1. Pull/Drop Down menu

3. Graphical user interface (GUI)

 It is considered to be the most user-friendly user interface.

 The most popular form of GUI is a WIMP system.

Advantages and Disadvantages

User Interface Advantages Disadvantages

1. What does the abbreviation ‘GUI’ stands for?

Oxford University Press. (p. )

Teach-ICT. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teach-

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