User interfaces are the medium through which a user interacts with a system. Users don’t always understand the complicated computer language. User interfaces represent this complicated information in such a way that the users can easily relate to it. But there are different types of user interfaces for different purposes and users.
The 5 main types of user interface are-
- Graphical User Interface (GUI)
- Command Line Interface (CLI)
- Natural Language Interface (NLI)
- Menu-driven Interface
- Form-based Interface
Graphical User Interfaces (GUI)
Graphical User Interface are the most common type of interface these days. They consists of graphical elements which are easily perceivable by the users. GUI are also known as WIMP interfaces. This is because they use Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. Xerox Alto computer was the first system to demonstrate GUI. Xerox PARC developed it in 1973.
Few examples of Graphical User Interfaces are operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, websites and apps, business applications, etc.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Command Line Interface are those old interfaces which works on commands. These are not very user friendly because they require the user to remember lots of commands and programming skills to work efficiently. CLI are difficult to use but are very powerful as they can work well with the internal components of computer system unlike the GUI. Therefore, they are most commonly used by users which are technicians, operators, network managers, etc.
UNIX, LINUX, MS DOS, etc are examples of Command Line Interface.
Natural Language Interface (NLI)
Natural Language Interface use human language to interact with the users. These types of user interfaces use languages like English, French, etc in a very humanistic way so that users don’t feel like they are talking to a robot. NLI can be verbal or written.
In verbal interfaces, it feels like someone is talking to you and getting the work done for you. Most common examples are Apple’s SIRI, Microsoft’s Cortana, Google’s Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa. However, in written NLI, it feels like someone is chatting with you and again helping get your work done. For example, Chat Bots which appear at almost every customer service and help solve the common issues.
Menu-driven Interfaces
Menu-driven Interface are used for very specific purposes which only requires a few options or a small menu to be given to the users. Still, the users are almost always able to achieve their tasks with those limited options. The options can be in the form of buttons which can be either touch-based or physical.
Few examples of Menu-driven interfaces are ATM machines, vending machines, coffee machines, etc.
Form-based User Interfaces
Form-based Interface are very straight forward and does what the name suggest. They mimic a physical form and are used when heavy input data is required from the users. Form-based interfaces use form elements like text box, drop down list, radio buttons, check boxes, etc. They are mainly used when huge amount of information needs to be gathered and processed for different purposes. In addition, form-based interfaces help in maintaining consistency in data for easy processing.
Registration forms, application forms for educational purposes, forms to apply for credit card, etc are few examples.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we explained the 5 main types of user interfaces. We talked about Graphical User Interface (GUI), Command Line Interface (CLI), Natural Language Interface (NLI), Menu-driven Interface and Form-based Interface. Also, we discussed examples for the types of user interfaces so that it is easy to relate. Hope you liked this article! Stay tuned for more interesting ones!
Pingback: Create a Hover Button in less than 2 minutes | UI UX Design Guide
Pingback: The basics of UI and UX design-2021 | UI UX Design Guide
Pingback: 6 Principles of User Interface Design | UI UX Design Guide
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days..
thank you so much 🙂 The theme is a free one and I’ve customized it.
Valuable information. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
hahaha thank you so much 🙂
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Magnificent. I’m also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
Thank you so much 🙂
Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
Thank you so much 🙂
Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one抯 site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Thank you so much. Have a great day 🙂
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out
loads. I am hoping to give a contribution &
help other users like its aided me. Great job.
Thank you so much. Have a great day 🙂
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I assumed this submit was once good. I don’t realize who you’re but certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger if you happen to are not already 😉 Cheers!
Omg thank you so much 😀 Have a great day 🙂
I want to express my appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this type of predicament. Right after surfing around throughout the world wide web and seeing techniques that were not pleasant, I figured my life was gone. Living minus the approaches to the difficulties you’ve resolved all through your website is a crucial case, and those which may have negatively damaged my entire career if I had not discovered the blog. The competence and kindness in touching all the stuff was precious. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come upon such a step like this. It’s possible to at this time relish my future. Thank you so much for this specialized and results-oriented help. I won’t hesitate to refer the sites to anybody who requires counselling on this subject matter.
omg I’m so glad you found the right information at the right time. But what should be appreciated more is that you didn’t give up in hard times. Power to you <3
Hey There. I found your blog the use of msn. This is an extremely neatly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.|
Thank you so much. Have a great day 🙂
Your style is very unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this blog.|
Thank you so much. Have a great day 🙂
Awesome! Its truly remarkable article, I have got much clear idea regarding from this article.|
Thank you so much. Have a great day 🙂
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing issues with your site. It appears as though some of the written text on your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously. Thanks|
Hi there to every , as I am in fact keen of reading this weblog’s post to be updated regularly. It carries nice data.|
It’s amazing to pay a quick visit this site and reading the views of all friends on the topic of this paragraph, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.|
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept|
I have been examinating out many of your stories and i can claim pretty good stuff.
I will make sure to bookmark your site.
Thanks a lot 🙂