5-User Interfaces

Questions on User Interfaces:

1.The term user interface means the interaction between a user and a computer,  An interface is a set of commands or menus through which a user communicates with a program.

2. The three main types of user interfaces are:
      1. Menu Interfaces

      2. Graphical user interfaces

      3. Command driven user interfaces


3. To use a command-line driven U.I, you need to go to your computer, go to the start menu, search in the search box CMD and then from here you will be presented with a black box that you can send commands to the computer to follow through with the instruction in the right context.
4. D.O.S is short for Disk Operating System, this is usually an operating system originally developed for IBM personal computers




5.Disadvantages of using a Command-line U.I:... ( shown in first list below)


6. Advantages of using a Command-line driven U.I:.... (shown in second list below)

	Can be very confusing for someone who is not familiar with the correct commands.
	Commands have to be typed in precisely, if there is a spelling error the command will fail
	If you mis-type an instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again.
	There may a large number of commands that need to be learnt - hundreds in the case of Unix.
	You cannot just guess what the instruction may be.
	May feel 'unfriendly' to a beginner.

                       

	If the user knows the correct commands it can be much faster than using lots of menus.
	The computer requires less memory to use this type of interface
	Can be used on a computer with a low specification although even supercomputers may use a CLI when its convenient to do so.
	Does not require Windows to run
	Only the most basic monochrome monitor is needed.
	Any number of commands can be typed into a batch file. This batch file can then be run from the command line. 7.  8. How a Menu User interface works? http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse/software/userinterface/miniweb/pg5.htm 9. Advantages of Using a Menu Driven U.I? The user does not need to remember and type lots of commands. Because menus contain explanations of the options that are available you can guess how to use a program without having to refer to a user guide. Menu-driven programs are especially good for mobile devices, due to therr small user interface and input/access controls. They don't take up alot of data or memory compared to G.U.I's They are simple to follow through with the step by step process and is easy to go back or go for another option as many times as you wish. 10. Disadvantages of Using a Menu Driven U.I? You may have to switch screens to access a menu. Menu options could be hard to track or find if you dont' know the right path can be slow and can stick at certain points can be time consuming if there is alot of options to follow and can't just type or search for what you want 11.    12.A menu G.U.I stands for a Menu of Graphical User Interfaces. This means that instead of a worded or lettered menu you could be faced with a menu made up of anything graphical for example icons, pictures, images or gifs. These would be the things that you selected in the menu in order for you to go to a different place or to the destination that you wanted to reach.  Here is an example of a Menu G.U.I below to help my explanation.   you can see that in this case a small icon of the option has been presented. 13. W.I.M.P stands for  window, icon, menu, pointing device. 14. Advantages of using a GUI( some answers where taken from " http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070528035007AAHqHVV") -Complex, multi-step, dependent tasks can easily be grouped together in a way that discourages mistakes. -Ability to embed media -Can produce more interesting interfaces whether the GUI are used on menus as well. -Easy for beginner and less advanced users to understand and follow. -Can present the Interface with better quality and more advanced technology used if pictures and icons are used as an understanding. - it can be user-friendly and speed up the user's work.- it can be more attractive for non-technical people.- in general, it looks more professional (but this does not mean it is always the best solution).  15. Disadvantages of using a GUI (some answers were taken from " http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081013083327AAaEy54 ") - when it is not properly built, it can be very difficult to work with. - it generally requires more memory resources than a non-graphical one. - it might require the installation of additional software, e.g., the "runtime environment" in the case of java. - depending on the programmer, it might require more time to be implemented. 16.Image of GUI   17. one of the main aspects of the User interface that the user should take into consideration when making a new U.I is consistency of layout and presentation. Also an important thing that should be took into consideration is efficiency and how well the U.I works.