InterfacesInterfaces

By: Ben Griffin and By: Ben Griffin and Laurel BastonLaurel Baston

What is an InterfaceWhat is an Interface

An interface is the aggregate of means by which people (the users) interact with a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool (the system).

Examples of an InterfaceExamples of an Interface

Driving a Car Driving a Car

Brushing your TeethBrushing your Teeth

Opening a DoorOpening a Door

Using a ComputerUsing a Computer

Main Types of InterfacesMain Types of Interfaces

Human-machine InterfaceHuman-machine Interface Command-line InterfaceCommand-line Interface Tactile InterfaceTactile Interface Touch Interface Touch Interface

Human-machine InterfaceHuman-machine Interface

The user interface of a The user interface of a mechanicalmechanical system, a vehicle or an system, a vehicle or an industrialindustrial installation is sometimes referred to installation is sometimes referred to as the as the human-machine interfacehuman-machine interface (HMI).(HMI).

Command-line InterfaceCommand-line Interface

A CLI (command line interface) is a user interface to a computer's operating system or an application in which the user responds to a visual prompt by typing in a command on a specified line, receives a response back from the system, and then enters another command, and so forth. The MS-DOS Prompt application in a Windows operating system is an example of the provision of a command line interface. Today, most users prefer the graphical user interface (GUI) offered by Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, and others. Typically, most of today's Unix-based systems offer both a command line interface and a graphical user interface.

Example: Gentoo Linux

Gentoo LinuxGentoo Linux

Tactile InterfaceTactile Interface

TactileTactile interfaces interfaces supplement or supplement or replace other forms of output replace other forms of output with haptic (means pertaining to with haptic (means pertaining to the sense of touch) feedback the sense of touch) feedback methods. Used in computerized methods. Used in computerized simulators etc. simulators etc.

Example: BrailleExample: Braille

BrailleBraille

Touch InterfaceTouch Interface

Touch interfacesTouch interfaces are graphical are graphical user interfaces using a user interfaces using a touch touch screenscreen display as a combined display as a combined input and output device. Used in input and output device. Used in many types of industrial many types of industrial processes and machines, self-processes and machines, self-service machines etc. service machines etc.

Touch ScreenTouch Screen

Two Main Types of Digital Two Main Types of Digital InterfacesInterfaces

Graphical User InterfaceGraphical User Interface

Web-based user interfaces Web-based user interfaces

Graphical User InterfaceGraphical User Interface

This is a computer interface that This is a computer interface that uses icons and text to control uses icons and text to control the system.the system.

ExamplesExamples: Interaction between : Interaction between the Mouse and an icon.the Mouse and an icon.

Web-based Computer Web-based Computer interfaceinterface

Web-based user interfacesWeb-based user interfaces accept input and provide output accept input and provide output by generating web pages which by generating web pages which are transported via the Internet are transported via the Internet and viewed by the user using a and viewed by the user using a web browser program. web browser program.

The EndThe End