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? 8 Student Notes - User Interfaces

A User Interface (UI) facilitates interaction between humans and computers, enabling input and output. The document outlines various types of software interfaces, including Command-Line, Menu-Driven, Graphical User, Touch, and Voice User Interfaces, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Key hardware enablers for these interfaces include touch screens, specialized keyboards, and microphones.

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20 views1 page

? 8 Student Notes - User Interfaces

A User Interface (UI) facilitates interaction between humans and computers, enabling input and output. The document outlines various types of software interfaces, including Command-Line, Menu-Driven, Graphical User, Touch, and Voice User Interfaces, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Key hardware enablers for these interfaces include touch screens, specialized keyboards, and microphones.

Uploaded by

steeletaejah44
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Student Notes to be copied into your notebooks

Topic: Understanding User Interfaces (UIs)

What is a User Interface?


A User Interface (UI) is the system that allows a human to interact with a computer. It's the "bridge" that
lets you give commands (input) and see the results (output).

Software Interfaces: The Main Types


Interface Common
Description Advantages (Pros) Disadvantages (Cons)
Type Examples
• Very powerful & fast (for • High learning curve
Text-based. experts) (must memorize)
Command- MS-DOS, Linux
User types
Line (CLI) Terminal
commands. • Uses few system • Unforgiving (typos =
resources errors)
• Can be slow (many
• Easy for beginners
User selects ATMs, Old mobile menus)
Menu-Driven options from a phones, Cash
• Guides the user (low
series of menus. registers • Limited options, not
error rate)
flexible
Visual, using • Intuitive & easy to learn • Uses more system
WIMP resources (RAM/CPU)
Graphical Windows,
(Windows, • Visual feedback
User (GUI) macOS, Android
Icons, Menus, • Can be cluttered or
Pointer). • Good for multitasking complex
• Imprecise ("fat finger
A GUI optimized • Very intuitive, direct
problem")
for direct input Smartphones, manipulation
Touch
(taps, swipes, Tablets, Kiosks
• Screen gets
gestures). • Easy to use gestures
smudged/dirty
• Hands-free & eyes-free • Can misinterpret
User controls
operation speech (accents, noise)
Voice User the system Siri, Alexa, Google
(VUI) using spoken Assistant
• Fast for simple • Privacy concerns
commands.
commands (always listening)

Key Hardware Enablers


• Touch Screen: A display screen that is also an input device. It detects the position of touch. It is
the hardware that makes a touch interface possible.
• Specialized Keyboard: A keyboard designed for a specific task (e.g., at a fast-food restaurant) with
custom keys to speed up operations in a Menu-Driven or GUI system.
• Microphone: The input device required for a VUI. It captures the user's spoken commands to be
processed by the system.

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