User-Interface

User Interface (UI) is everything that assists and enables the user to input information or commands to the computer/device/tool as well as everything that is involved in creating a response or output to the user (User Interface). For example, when a pilot operates the dashboard to an aircraft, the dashboard becomes a user interface that allows the pilot to give the aircraft commands. The aircraft responds by doing said commands; thus the interface allows for input and output.

There are many different types of user interface and a widely used type is the graphic user interface - GUI. The term graphic user interface came about as a contrast to command line interfaces that required commands through typing a string of characters - such as DOS - and not at the click of a mouse (GUI). This term signifies that there is a graphic component towards the interface and an example is the main operating systems used today such as windows XP. The user interacts with the computer the computer screen, the keyboard and the mouse etc. and everything is translated into a action/input that is seen on screen. There are pulldown menus, buttons, icons and each manipulation towards the system generates a reaction.

^'the graphic user interface for windows XP'

Usability is an issue when it comes to computer interfaces.

Resources:

"GUI." SearchWinDevelopment. 12 Oct. 2006. 11 Jan. 2008 .

Haas, Juergen. "User Interface." About.com. 11 Jan. 2008. 11 Jan. 2008 .

"User Interface." SearchWinDevelopment. 22 April 2003. 11 Jan. 2008 .

"User Interface." Wikipedia. 11 Jan. 2008. 11 Jan. 2008 . [|]