Command Line Interface
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 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
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