Types of User Interfaces:

User interfaces are found wherever digital technology exists. How you, the user, interacts
with and use the technology is controlled by the computer-user interface. It is sometimes
referred to as the human computer interface.
A user interface is the user-controlled part of the operating systems that allow the user
to communicate or interact with it. This interaction entails various ways of capturing or
transferring data between a user and the computer system
1. List three devices that can be used to exchange data between a user and the computer
system. [3 marks]
A user interface may be graphical, text-based, and audio-video depending on the application
being used. A user interface can therefore be in the form of a hardware interface, software
interface or a combination of both
There are three classes of user interfaces
Hardware Interface:
 Generally, it includes touchscreen sensors, digital cameras, and special keyboards for
input.
 An example of a hardware interface would be a Joy stick of a video game controller.
For the video game controller, the layout of the buttons, touchpad, joystick, and hand
grips form the user interface that carries out various functions
Software
 User interacts with the computer or operating system through an application. The
application provides a medium or ‘interface ‘ to ensure that the user and computer can
communicate.
 Command Line Interface (CLI)
o This interface requires users to type using a special language (commands) that
tell the computer what to do. Users typically need to know the special
language in order to communicate with the computer.
o This special language makes command line interfaces difficult to use,
especially for new computer users.
o Examples of a Command Line Interface:
 MSDOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)
 Linux Bash Shell
 Mac Terminal for Mac OS
 AWS Amazon Web Services Command Prompt
 Google Cloud Platform: Power shell and Cloud shell
o Most users will be familiar with MSDOS however in all cases a specific
command must be given once prompted at the specified location.
o Most prompts tend to indicate which directory or drive the data stored
alongside the directory where a file or folder is stored.
o Most command lines normally start with the Drive letter (C:) followed by a
back slash \ then the directory name backslash and other sub directories.
 o This format holds true for many command lines. Below is an image of the
MSDOS system for windows.

o What is the name of the drive that the ADMIN folder is stored in?
 1 mark
o What is the name of the folder that the ADMIN folder is stored in?
 1 mark
o What is the name of the sub-director in the Users folder?
 1 mark
o What is the command that was used in the image above?
 1 mark
o Command Lines have a number of commands that would need to be learned in
order to communicate with the system. In the modern era many of these
commands can be found online.

 Menu Driven Interface

o A menu is a list of option from which the user can choose what they would
like to do
o A Menus Driven Interface allows users to interact with the computer and
operating system by using either a mouse, or cursor movements from the
arrows to make a selection from the menus provided (or a list of menus
provided).
o Menu driven interfaces are easier to use than command line interface as you
do not need to remember every command related to the system, you simply
select from a menu which are typically pull down menus.
o Depending on the selection made by the user another set of options may
appear. This is easy to learn especially for new computer users
 o Menu drive interfaces can also be verbal rather than visual such as automated
answering machines where you press a number based on the options provided.
 Example 1 for Department 2 for Help
o This interface although easy to learn and navigate can become confusing to
use as the number of options increase and you will need to retrace your path to
the original starting menu.

 Graphical User Interface ( GUI)

o Pronounced ‘Goo EEE’, may otherwise be known as WIMP
o A GUI comprises of WIMP (Windows Icons Menu and Pointers)
o It is the easiest of all the user interfaces to use:
 It allows the user to use graphics, menus, keystrokes to choose
commands start programs and see list of files and other options
 It is beginner friendly and also allows user to ‘drag and drop’ data and
files among applications
o GUI require a lot of computer memory which can slow down processing at
times. Sometimes a simple task may take longer than necessary because of the
number of functions are steps required to execute the task.
o WIMP
 Windows
 Is a rectangular boxed area on the computer screen that can
hold its own document, message, files or folder etc.
 A window can take up the whole screen or can be resized ,
moved or shrunk (minimized)
 Each time you open a new folder or file or drive you see its
contents in a new window.
 More than one window can be opened at the same time on one
more screen. This is useful when you want to move the
contents of one window to another or copy files from one
window to another.
  The common visual background that the windows appear over
is called the desktop

 Icons
 Are small pictorial figures that represent programs, folders,
files, task, procedures etc.
 Normally you can use the icon in some way. Typically, this
would involve using the mouse to double click on the icon,
which would usually result in the program starting
 Icons make it easier for the user to interact with the computer
instead of having to remember commands, all the user needs to
do is remember the icon
 Icons are not just for programs but for files, folders, disk drives,
and printers.
 Menus
 An advantage of menus in Windows or Macs is that for most
programs the first few menus are always in the same order.
Typically carry out the same functions no matter which
programs you are using.
 Example the file menu is the first and enables you to:
o Create
o Save and
o Print documents
 There are generally two types of Menus:

o Pull-Down Menus
 Are activated by clicking on the menu item ex
example file using the left mouse button
 The menu pulls down just below the menu item
and you can scroll down through the various
items.
 More complicated pull-down menus can
produce additional pull downs or pop-up menus

o Pop-up Menus
 Are activated by clicking anywhere on the
document or screen using the right mouse
button.
 Some standard commands include
 Cut
 Copy
 Paste
  Pointers
 The most common pointing devices is a mouse. As the mouse
is moved a pointer moves around the screen.
 The pointer is a very important part of a GUI as it enables you
to control the computer:
o Choose window items
o Selects text in a document or cells in a spreadsheet
o Create drawings and shapes.
 Other pointing devices include
o Graphics tablets
o Joysticks
o Digital pens used typically used with touchscreen
devices.
Hybrid Interface
 These are a new type of interface which typically involves a combination of one or
more different types of user interface alongside different technologies.
 The goal of hybrid interfaces of combine the best aspect of the other interfaces and to
reduce the drawbacks of others.
 This can include a combination of CLI, Menu, GUI, hardware etc.
 A few examples of hybrid interfaces are:

o Touchscreens and Physical Buttons:

 Contain both touches screen as well as physical buttons.
 There is also the incorporating of the menu driven interface which is
the primary software-based interface used alongside some GUI.

o Voice and graphical Interfaces.

 Voice controlled virtual assistance such as Alexa, Siri or Cortana fall in
this category.
  Can be combined with GUI’s, Menus and make use of the hardware
available on smart phones such as the speaker and microphone.
 This allows these assistances to be integrated on simple smart speakers
as a result.
 Users interact with the devices by speaking commands and or using
touch gestures in order to interact with the system and execute task.

o Augmented Reality (AR)

 Digital information is overload onto the physical world through a
device’s camera, speaker and where possible touch (haptic feedback)
 These interfaces often combine elements of the real world with digital
overlays creating a unique hybrid experience.
 Possible application could be AR guidance systems with virtual arrows
that appear on the physical road through the user’s eyewear allow them
to navigate streets or even unknown areas.

o Multimodal Interfaces
 Combines multiple modes of interaction such as:
 Touch
 Voice
 Eye tracking
 Aim to provide users with various ways to interact with a system,
making it more accessible and versatile.

Hybrid interfaces are chosen based on specific user case, preferences and availability of
technology. The benefit of this is that it can enhance usability by accommodating different
interaction style of contexts, making easier for users to engage with a devices or application
in a way that suits them