Information Technology
Grade 10
Sub-topic: Software User Interface
An Interface is the point at which a connection is made
between two elements so that they can work together.
Software User interface is a term used to describe the
software method that enables interaction between the user
and the application or system software being used.
The user interface is one of the most important parts of any
program because it determines how easily you can make
the program do what you want. A powerful program with
a poorly designed user interface has little value.
Three main types of software user interface includes
● Command Line Interface/ Command Driven Interface
(CMD/CLI)
● Menu Driven Interface (MDI)
● Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Command Line Interface
A Command Line Interface allows the user to interact directly
with the computer system by typing in commands (instructions)
into a screen. The CMD is one that allows you to enter commands
- an instruction to a computer or device to perform a specific task.
Characteristics:
- purely textual interface
-commands written on one line
-used with a Disk operating system (DOS)-First OS to exist
(example:
Advantages of Command Line Interface
● If the user knows the correct commands then this type
of interface can be much faster than any other type of
interface
● This type of interface needs much less memory (RAM)
in order to use compared to other types of user interfaces
● This type of interface does not use as much CPU
processing time as others
● A low resolution, cheaper monitor can be used with
this type of interface
● A CLI does not require Windows to run
Disadvantages of Command Line Interface
● For someone who has never used a CLI, it can be very
confusing
● Commands have to be typed precisely. If there is a
spelling error the command will fail
● If you mis-type an instruction, it is often necessary to
start from scratch again
● There are a large number of commands which need to
be learned - in the case of Unix it can be hundreds
● You can't just guess what the instruction might be and
you can't just 'have a go'.
Menu Driven
This is one in which you select command choices from
various menus displayed on the screen
Characteristics:
- menus;
-a range of choices presented;
-user chooses options from a set of menus provided
(example: Lotus 1-2-3, offers the user a choice of
command words that can be activated by typing a letter,
pressing a direction key, or pointing with a mouse).
Advantages of a Menu Driven Interface
• Extremely easy to use. Someone who has never
seen the interface before can figure out what to do
• There are no commands to learn or remember
• Step-by-step options are given so that the user
doesn't have to remember anything
• Even if you don't know what to do, you can
usually guess your way around the options
• They don't need huge amounts of processing
power or memory
Disadvantages of Menu Driven Interface
● A poorly designed menu interface may be slow to use
● It can be irritating if there are too many menu screens
to work through - users get annoyed or bored if it takes
too long
● You often can't go to the exact place you want right at
the start.
● The menu can take up a large part of the screen so you
have to keep flicking back and forwards between
applications
October 24, 2024
Software User Interface
Graphical User Interface
This is one that uses a combination of windows, icons,
menus and pointers to communicate with the user.
(WIMP) GUIs present the user with a visual representation
of some metaphor such as a desktop and allow the user to
control not only menu choices but also the size, layout, and
contents of one or more on-screen "windows" or working
areas.
Characteristics:
icons small pictures representing commands, files, or
windows displayed on the screen. Examples:
yellow folders, recycle bin, program shortcuts
menu a range of options presented to a computer user so
s that a choice can be made
menu a menu bar is a line across the top of a screen that
bar lists the titles of all the menus that the user can
choose at that point,
pull pull down menu is a menu that appears on request
down after selecting it from the menu bar
menu
pop is one that appears on the screen wherever the user
up happens to have positioned the cursor. It may be
selected as the result of pressing a hot key, or
menu
because the program needs to offer the user a
choice as a result of what is being done at that
instant
help context-sensitive help - you get help on the task
facili you are doing or on the word you have high-lighted
by pressing F1 e.g. other kinds of help: content,
ties
search, write a question, on screen tutorials, on
screen user guides
Advantages of GUI
● They are easy to learn and use
● Easy for a person that has never used a computer
system before
● Symbols are easy to recognize
● The user can easily switch from one task to another
Disadvantages of GUI
● Can be confusing using icons
● More memory is needed
● Some tasks can take long because there are many
menus to go through to get one choice
●
HARDWARE INTERFACES
Hardware interfaces work by physical interaction. They are
useful for visually impaired people.
Examples:
Braille Keyboards allow a user to use their sense of touch
to type letters into a computer.
Other examples include: touchscreens, sensors, biometric
systems and digital cameras.
Braille Keyboard
Touch screens
On a touch screen there is a visual display where a user
presses icons and buttons using their fingers.
Sensors and Biometric Systems
These offer a variety of ways to interact with an operating
system. For example, many new laptops have a thumbprint
scanner near the keyboard. To log onto the computer, a user
places their thumb on the pad and the scanner scans their
thumbprint. If the scan matches records stored in the
computer, the computer logs on that user.