Types of User Interface - Edexcel iGCSE Computer Science

Command Line Interface

Command line operating systems were the original interfaces that all computers used, until the invention of graphical user interfaces. The consist of text only screens and graphics could only displayed using a technique known as ASCII Art.

Advantages of CLIs

Quick and easy to program
Fast to use when you are experienced in the system
Very Reliable
Distraction free
Low resource usage – good for battery powered devices like UAVs and weather stations

Disadvantages of CLIs

Very difficult / un-intuitive for beginners ( you have to know the commands)
Can’t display graphics
Not good for multi-tasking
Not pretty looking

Command line interfaces are still widely used today in a number of specialist and technical areas, including:

Coding
Hacking
System restore interfaces
Micro-controller controlled devices
Servers

I Linux Command Line Interface

Graphical User Interface

Graphical user interfaces were invented much later than CLIs but are now the most widely used type of interface. Users interact with the system with the combination of a keyboard and a mouse/point (or a touch screen).

A GUI Consists of Windows, Icons, Menus & Pointers (WIMP)

Advantages of GUI

Can display images, videos and graphics
Because of the use of a pointer or touch screen they are far more beginner friendly
Pretty looking
Can have multiple windows open for multi-tasking

Disadvantages of GUI

Take longer to code
More prone to bugs
More resource intensive
Screen clutter can be distracting.
Can take longer to perform tasks than a CLI.

Menu Driven Interface

These are specialist graphical user interfaces where interaction is in the form of clicking on menu items to select them.

They are common in:

Restaurants
Shops
Cash Machines

Advantages

Very simple to use
Easier to debug due to limited options

Disadvantages

Specialist use only