Dialog Design 1 Basic Dialog Styles

Dialog Styles Question and Answer Menu Input Form/Output Form Input in Context of Output GUI Window Command Language

Question and Answer Complex display Simple Response Gives programmers the most control over user responses. Useful for inexperienced users and infrequent tasks.

Question and Answer

Menu User chooses among predetermined options. May use cursor movement, light pen, numbered responses, or icons Effective for inexperienced users May require structuring and submenus Easiest to program since user options are limited

Menu

Input Form/Output Form Uses one form to input information and control commands, another to display the output Display sequence may vary with answers. Particularly effective when displayed form parallels a similar paper form.

Input Form/Output Form

Input Form/ Output Form

Input in Context of Output Accepts input commands and data on the same form that displays the output. Effective for complex decision processes. May require training because of limited ability to give user instructions.

Input in Context of Output

GUI Window Designed to use mouse actions to launch and manipulate objects De facto standard for most modern applications.

Window

Command Language Uses verb-noun pairs to instruct computer Easy to learn for simple applications. Can be layered, but provides very little user aid. Not common in a windows environment.

Command Language