Definition and Types of User Interfaces

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Last updated on October 8th, 2023 at 02:29 pm

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As computers became more readily available to home users and as businesses embraced this technology, the need for different types of computers and, as a result, suitable types of user interfaces also grew. Now computers in the form of desktops, mobile, and embedded devices are available virtually everywhere with specialized user interfaces to promote security, accommodate the disabled, and definitely promote wider use such as processing medical specimens.

These user interfaces differ in their level of difficulty, but there are interfaces for every literacy level and seemingly to suit the needs of almost everyone.

In this article, we will cover the following:

  • What user interfaces are;
  • Types of user interfaces; and
  • The relative merit of different user interfaces.

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What are user interfaces?

Let’s look at what happens when we use a microwave. You read the buttons on the entry pad; you select what you wish to do, and the amount of time the device needs to take to complete the task. You then press start. The microwave works for the selected period and then stops when the time is up. Here you were able to communicate with this device in order to get it to complete your desired task via its user interface.

In the field of Information Technology, we define a user interface (UI) as something that allows you to interact with a computer or device.

In designing user interfaces, computer designers need to always cater for a good user experience (UX). As such, over the years, computer designers have strived to make user interfaces as user-friendly as possible. In this way, more users will find computers easy to interact with, and as a result, they are more likely to be used by a wider cross-section of the population.

Types of user interfaces

Today user interfaces differ based on their uses and technologies. We divide them into two different groups:

Hardware User Interfaces

Some examples of hardware user interfaces are:

  • Touch screens; and
  • Specialized keyboards.

Software User Interfaces

Some examples of software user interfaces are:

  • Command line;
  • Menu driven;
  • Touch; and
  • Graphical user interface (GUI).

Touch screen interface

A touchscreen user interface is both an input and output device. This type of interface is seen on our smartphones and tablet computers, where we are able to communicate intuitively with the devices. The technology used by these devices makes it possible to detect the location a finger is pointing to and carry out the required action.

Advantages of touchscreen interfaces
  • These devices can be used without the need for other peripheral (input) devices.
  • These user interfaces are intuitive. This means that very little training is required for a user to become familiar with how to use them.
  • These interfaces are easy to clean.
Disadvantages of touchscreen interfaces
  • Accuracy: The fact that the keyboards are onscreen and often much smaller than external ones reduces the accuracy with which we enter information with fingers that are quite large.
  • Due to the fact that touch screens are part of portable devices, they tend to be vulnerable to falls. Additionally, they are much more difficult to replace than either an external keyboard or mouse.

Specialized keyboards

These are keyboards such as braille keyboards for different users.

Advantages of the braille keyboard
  • For people who are visually impaired, a braille keyboard makes it easier for them to interact with the computer than the regular keyboard; and
  • Learning braille and, therefore, the braille keyboard is quite easy.
Disadvantages of the braille keyboard
  • Errors cannot be erased.

The command line Interface (CLI)

The command line interface (also called command line user interface, console user interface, or character user interface) is a user interface that makes it possible for a user to interact with the computer by using the keyboard to enter predefined lines of text. This user interface became less popular when modern computers began to be marketed with a graphical user interface. Today many computers come preprogrammed with both the command line and graphical user interfaces.

Advantages of command line interfaces
  • Knowledge of command line interfaces makes it easier for a user to troubleshoot network and other system issues.
  • Fast performance: Provided that you are familiar with CLI, you will find that working from the command line makes tasks go much faster than using other types of interfaces, such as GUIs.
  • By virtue of the type of interface in use, CLI interfaces use less memory than touchscreen and GUI interfaces. This is also one reason why CLI interfaces are faster.
  • Require low processing power.
  • When commands have been executed on a command line interface, the computer saves them in memory for future use. The arrow keys on a keyboard usually make it possible to access these commands.
Disadvantages of command line interfaces
  • Command line interfaces are difficult to use due to the fact that you need to learn the commands in order to be able to communicate competently with the computer.
  • The commands used to communicate with the computer may differ based on the operating system in use.

The menu-driven interface

Menu-driven interface refers to a user interface where menus and icons are provided to help the user navigate the system. They are often quite simple in design and easy to use. Choosing an item on one menu typically leads to another when an item is selected until the user arrives at their desired location. We often see menu-driven interfaces in ATMs (automatic teller machines), smart TVs, MP3 players, household appliances, and video recorders. These menus may be either:

  • Pop-up;
  • Pull down; or
  • Dropdown.
Advantages of menu-driven interfaces
  • Simple to use: This type of interface requires you to make simple choices until you arrive at your destination.
  • These user interfaces can be either graphical or auditory; and
  • They require very little memory;
Disadvantages of menu-driven interfaces
  • Users can become frustrated while navigating a menu if it takes too long.

Touch interface

A touch user interface is a pointing device that can be used in the place of a mouse or other pointing devices. It uses the sense of touch to communicate with the computer.

The GUI

The graphical user interface refers to computer applications that use graphics and icons to navigate the computer system. These interfaces use windows and menus in their design.

Advantages of GUIs
  • GUI is user-friendly. For persons who are not tech savvy, GUI reduces the learning curve and makes a computer easier to use.
  • The pictures used in a GUI are easier to remember than text-based commands.
Disadvantages of GUIs
  • More expensive and time-consuming to develop than command-line interfaces.
  • Works more slowly than CLI.
  • Graphics do not always display correctly on flat-screen monitors.