Interfaces By: Ben Griffin and Laurel Baston

What is an Interface An interface is the aggregate of means by which people (the users) interact with a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool (the system). usersinteract machinecomputer programtoolsystem

Examples of an Interface Driving a Car Driving a Car Brushing your Teeth Brushing your Teeth Opening a Door Opening a Door Using a Computer Using a Computer

Main Types of Interfaces Human-machine Interface Human-machine Interface Command-line Interface Command-line Interface Tactile Interface Tactile Interface Touch Interface Touch Interface

Human-machine Interface The user interface of a mechanical system, a vehicle or an industrial installation is sometimes referred to as the human-machine interface (HMI). The user interface of a mechanical system, a vehicle or an industrial installation is sometimes referred to as the human-machine interface (HMI).mechanicalindustrialmechanicalindustrial

Command-line Interface A CLI (command line interface) is a user interface to a computer's operating system or an application in which the user responds to a visual prompt by typing in a command on a specified line, receives a response back from the system, and then enters another command, and so forth. The MS-DOS Prompt application in a Windows operating system is an example of the provision of a command line interface. Today, most users prefer the graphical user interface (GUI) offered by Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, and others. Typically, most of today's Unix-based systems offer both a command line interface and a graphical user interface.operating system applicationGUIMac OS BeOS Unix Example: Gentoo Linux

Gentoo Linux

Tactile Interface Tactile interfaces supplement or replace other forms of output with haptic (means pertaining to the sense of touch) feedback methods. Used in computerized simulators etc. Tactile interfaces supplement or replace other forms of output with haptic (means pertaining to the sense of touch) feedback methods. Used in computerized simulators etc. Tactilehaptictouch simulators Tactilehaptictouch simulators Example: Braille

Braille

Touch Interface Touch interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touch screen display as a combined input and output device. Used in many types of industrial processes and machines, self- service machines etc. Touch interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touch screen display as a combined input and output device. Used in many types of industrial processes and machines, self- service machines etc.

Touch Screen

Two Main Types of Digital Interfaces Graphical User Interface Graphical User Interface Web-based user interfaces Web-based user interfaces

Graphical User Interface This is a computer interface that uses icons and text to control the system. This is a computer interface that uses icons and text to control the system. Examples: Interaction between the Mouse and an icon. Examples: Interaction between the Mouse and an icon.

Web-based Computer interface Web-based user interfaces accept input and provide output by generating web pages which are transported via the Internet and viewed by the user using a web browser program. Web-based user interfaces accept input and provide output by generating web pages which are transported via the Internet and viewed by the user using a web browser program.web pagesInternet web browserweb pagesInternet web browser

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