AS A Level
USER (IT 9626)
INTERFACE
By:
M Ali Sabri
(MSCS)
User
Interface
A User Interface (UI) is
the point of interaction
between a user and a
computer system, software,
or device. It allows people
to communicate with
technology and perform
tasks without needing to
understand the internal
workings of the system.
Types of
Interfaces
1. Command-Line
Interface (CLI)
• User types text-based
commands.
• Examples: MS-DOS, Linux
Terminal.
• Pros: Fast and powerful for
experts.
• Cons: Hard for beginners,
requires memorizing
commands.
2. Graphical
User Interface
(GUI)
• Uses windows, icons,
menus, and pointers
(WIMP).
• Examples: Windows OS,
macOS, Android.
• Pros: Easy to use,
visually appealing.
• Cons: Needs more
memory and processing
power.
Dialogue interface
A Dialogue Interface is a type of user interface where the computer and the user
communicate in the form of a conversation (dialogue). Instead of just clicking or
typing single commands, the system interacts step by step, asking questions and
responding to the user’s answers.
• Features of Dialogue Interface
• Works like a conversation between user and computer.
• Usually text-based or speech-based.
• User gives input → System responds → User replies again.
• Can be fixed (predefined questions and answers) or flexible (using AI/Natural Language
Processing).
• Examples
• Chatbots (e.g., customer support bots).
• Virtual Assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant).
• Help Systems in old software (where the system asked: “Do you want to save the file? Yes/No”).
Gesture-based interface
A gesture-based interface allows users to interact with a computer or device using
body movements, hand gestures, or touch gestures instead of traditional input
devices (keyboard, mouse).
The system uses sensors, cameras, or touchscreens to detect and interpret gestures.
• Types of Gestures:
• Touch gestures: Tap, swipe, pinch, double-tap (on touchscreen).
• Motion gestures: Wave hand, nod head, move body (detected by sensors/cameras).
• 3D gestures: Using VR gloves or motion sensors to control objects in 3D space.
Examples:
• Smartphones/Tablets – Pinch to zoom, swipe to scroll.
• Gaming Consoles – Xbox Kinect, Nintendo Wii (detect body/hand movements).
• Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) – Hand tracking in VR headsets.
• Touchless Controls in Cars – Change music or answer calls with hand movement.
Feature GUI CLI
Ease of Use Very easy, visual Hard, needs memorization
Speed Slower Very fast for experts
Resources High (RAM, CPU) Very low
Learning Curve Easy for beginners Difficult for beginners
Power Limited to what GUI provides Very powerful & flexible
GUI Vs CLI
Review the chapter
• Mainframe computers and supercomputers
• System software
• Utility software
• Custom-written software and off-the-shelf software
• User interfaces
