GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)
The term "user interface" originated in the engineering
environment in the late 1970s. Virtually every one who
interacted directly with computers had been engineers and
programmers, but a new kind of users were emerging: the
non- programming user. These users often reacted more
negatively to difficulties in dealing with a machine. New
forms of interaction was needed new interfaces, were
required attention flowed to "the user interface":
A graphical user interface (GUI) is an interface through
which a user interacts with electronic devices such as
computers and smartphones through the use of icons,
menus and other visual indicators or representations
(graphics). GUIs graphically display information and
related user controls, unlike text-based interfaces, where
data and commands are strictly in text. GUI
representations are manipulated by a pointing device such
as a mouse, trackball, stylus, or by a finger on a touch
screen.
The first human/computer text interface worked through
keyboard input, with what is called a prompt (or DOS
prompt). Commands were typed on a keyboard at the
DOS prompt to initiate responses from a computer. The
use of these commands and the need for exact spelling
created a cumbersome and inefficient interface.
Arguably, the introduction and popularization of GUIs is
one of the most important factors that made computer
and digital technologies more accessible to average, less
tech-savvy users. GUIs are, in fact, created to be intuitive
enough to be operated even by relatively unskilled
personnel who have no knowledge of any programming
language. Rather than being fundamentally machine-
centered, they are now the standard in software
application programming because their design is always
user-centered.
In the late 1970s, the Xerox Palo Alto research laboratory
created GUIs, which are now common in Windows, macOS
and many software applications. By using specially
designed and labeled images, pictures, shapes and color
combinations, objects were depicted on the computer
screen that either resembled the operation to be
performed, or were intuitively recognized by the user.
In 1983, Apple introduced the first commercial use of a
GUI in the Lisa computer, followed shortly thereafter by
the much more famous Apple Macintosh in 1984. Then, in
1985, Microsoft released Windows 1.0. The introduction of
these systems revolutionized the use of personal
computers, paving their way to reaching the general
public. Before these, the use of command-line UIs
restricted their use to advanced business users, scientists
and information technology experts.
Today, each OS has its own GUI (such as Ubuntu for
Linux). Software applications use these and add additional
GUIs of their own, for example Microsoft Word and Excel,
or Adobe Photoshop. All internet browsers, such as
Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox use their own GUIs
to allow the user to navigate through websites which may
also have their own GUIs (such as Facebook, Instagram or
WordPress sites). If a user opens, for example, a video
from a streaming video player inside a website, they will
interact with four different GUIs in total:
1. The OS’s
2. The browser’s
3. The website’s
4. The video player’s
Information is presented to the user via visual widgets
that can be manipulated without the need for command
codes. The user interacts with these elements of the
interface (such as buttons, icons and menus), that
respond in accordance with the programmed script,
supporting each user’s action. The same application
software or operating system may present different or
slightly different GUIs as it is patched and evolves. Even if
the core of the application and its functions stay the same,
the appearance might be modified according to user
needs or to improve user experience — such as the case
of the various Windows versions throughout the years.
Many GUIs use standard formats for representing text and
graphical elements (such as fonts or scroll bars), so it is
possible to share data between programs sharing the
same GUI software.
How users interface with a computer is constantly being
revised and reinvented. Human ingenuity has brought
users from the keyboard to the mouse and trackball,
touch screens and voice commands. A visual language has
evolved as GUI has become commonplace in both
operating systems (OSs) and software applications. Even
those with limited computer skills can now, through the
use of GUIs, learn how to use computer applications for
word processing, finances, inventory, design, artwork or
hobbies.
GUI Advantages
Today, every product with a screen has a GUI. Here’s
why:
1. User-friendliness: GUIs are more intuitive to most of
us than text-based interfaces, enough that even those
with very limited knowledge of computers can use
them without learning a coding language or computer
commands.
2. Efficiency: GUIs let users complete tasks more quickly
and easily. A task that would take multiple typed
commands in a CUI can be achieved with just a
couple of mouse clicks in a GUI.
3. Clarity: GUIs make it clear what each visual element
does and provide users with visual feedback to
indicate whether their actions are successful or not.
4. Aesthetic: GUIs are more visually attractive and
engaging to us than plain text, and developers have
much more control over their visual customization to
create a pleasing user experience.
5. Accessibility: In many cases, GUIs are more
accessible to users with disabilities, impairments, and
limitations.
GUI Disadvantages
Graphical user interfaces are ubiquitous in personal
computing, but they’re not universal. Some users prefer
text-based interfaces, like executing actions via the
command line. Here are some minor drawbacks to GUIs
when compared to other interfaces:
1. Speed: GUIs are slower and require more power than
text-based interfaces.
2. Memory usage: GUIs require more computer memory
than text-based interfaces.
3. Lack of flexibility: Usually, a user has to work within
the restrictions of a GUI and can’t change its
functionality. With text-based interfaces, it’s easy to
install packages with powerful custom commands.
4. Inefficiency: Yes, efficiency is a major advantage of
GUIs for most. But, many tech-savvy users find it
more efficient to execute commands in a CUI. Plus,
CUI commands can be automated.
5. Build: GUIs need to be built by a design and
development team, which takes additional time and
resources.
