Computing Interfaces

Extracted Attributes

• UI Paradigms

  CLI (Command-Line), GUI (Graphical User Interface), WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer)

• Modern Evolution

  Large Language Models (LLMs) acting as a core Operating System

• Primary Function

  Shared boundary for information exchange between system components

• Interface Categories

  Hardware, Software, User (UI), Web-based

• Hardware Interface Components

  Mechanical, electrical, and logical signals; protocols for sequencing

• Software Interface Components

  Constants, data types, procedure types, exception specifications, and method signatures

Timeline

• Apple launches the Macintosh, popularizing the Graphical User Interface (GUI) for non-technical consumers. (Source: undefined)

  1984-01-24

• Microsoft releases Windows, further establishing the GUI as the standard for personal computing. (Source: undefined)

  1985-11-20

• Meta unveils new Smart Glasses, accelerating the physical integration of AI into wearable interfaces. (Source: undefined)

  2023-09-27

• Financial Times reports OpenAI is in talks with Johnny Ive and Masayoshi Son to raise $1 billion for a consumer AI hardware device. (Source: undefined)

  2023-09-28

• OpenAI launches multimodal models for ChatGPT, signaling a shift where LLMs serve as a core operating system for devices. (Source: undefined)

  2023-10-01

Interface (computing)

In computing, an interface is a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a computer system exchange information. The exchange can be between software, computer hardware, peripheral devices, humans, and combinations of these. Some computer hardware devices, such as a touchscreen, can both send and receive data through the interface, while others such as a mouse or microphone may only provide an interface to send data to a given system.

Web Search Results

• Interface (computing)

  Main article: Hardware interface Hardware interfaces exist in many components, such as the various buses "Bus (computing)"), storage devices, other I/O devices, etc. A hardware interface is described by the mechanical, electrical, and logical signals at the interface and the protocol for sequencing them (sometimes called signaling). A standard interface, such as SCSI, decouples the design and introduction of computing hardware, such as I/O devices, from the design and introduction of other components of a computing system, thereby allowing users and manufacturers great flexibility in the implementation of computing systems. Hardware interfaces can be parallel with several electrical connections carrying parts of the data simultaneously or serial where data are sent one bit at a time. [...] Interfaces between software components can provide constants "Constant (computer science)"), data types, types of procedures, exception specifications, and method signatures. Sometimes, public variables "Variable (programming)") are also defined as part of an interface. [...] The interface of a software module A is deliberately defined separately from the implementation "Implementation (computer science)") of that module. The latter contains the actual code of the procedures and methods described in the interface, as well as other "private" variables, procedures, etc. Another software module B, for example the client "Client (computing)") to A, that interacts with A is forced to do so only through the published interface. One practical advantage of this arrangement is that replacing the implementation of A with another implementation of the same interface should not cause B to fail—how A internally meets the requirements of the interface is not relevant to B, which is only concerned with the specifications of the interface. (See also Liskov substitution

• Understand What an Interface Is & Its Advantages

  ## What is a user interface (UI) framework? A UI framework is a software framework that provides developers with a set of tools, libraries, and components to build user interfaces more efficiently. It offers pre-built UI elements, layout management, event handling, and other functionalities, reducing the amount of code developers need to write from scratch. ## Can I explain the concept of a web-based interface? A web-based interface refers to one accessed and displayed through a web browser. It allows users to interact with web applications, websites, and online services. Web interfaces often utilize hypertext markup language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript to create interactive and dynamic user experiences. [...] A GUI is generally easier to learn and use compared to a command-line interface. It provides visual cues and feedback, making it more intuitive for users to navigate and perform tasks. GUIs also allow for the inclusion of multimedia elements like images and videos, enhancing the user experience. ## What is a web interface? A web interface refers to the user interface of a website or a web application. It is accessed through a web browser and typically consists of web pages that allow users to interact with the website's features, submit forms, view content, and perform various actions. ## Can I explain what a hardware interface is? [...] ## Why are interfaces important in technology? Interfaces are crucial in technology because they enable different software, hardware, and systems to work together seamlessly. They provide a standardized way for different components to interact and ensure compatibility. ## What is an example of a user interface? The graphical user interface (GUI) of your computer's operating system is an example of a user interface. It includes elements like windows, icons, menus, and buttons that allow you to interact with your computer. ## What is a command-line interface (CLI)? A CLI is a text-based interface where you interact with a computer system by typing commands. It doesn't have graphical elements like windows and buttons, but rather requires you to enter commands and parameters directly.

• What are Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)? - Interaction-Design.org

  Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell, Charles Brewer, and Aynne Valencia is a comprehensive guide that delves into the principles of effective interaction design. The third edition addresses the challenges of creating seamless user experiences across various platforms, including mobile apps, web applications, and desktop software. By presenting UI best practices as design patterns, the book offers practical solutions to common design problems. Each pattern is accompanied by full-color examples and actionable advice, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced designers. The authors emphasize understanding users, structuring software intuitively, and employing visual design to enhance usability, thereby fostering more intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. [...] To the question of “What is a graphical user interface (GUI) and its significance?” history provides clear answers. GUIs transformed computing from a specialized skill into an everyday activity. The rise of consumer-friendly interfaces in the 1980s—starting with Apple’s Macintosh and Microsoft’s Windows—made personal computing accessible to non-technical users. The stage was set for GUIs to rise to the point where they’ve come to power everything from smartphone apps and car dashboards to kiosks, smart TVs, and operating systems. ## Why The Screen Scene Matters to UX Designers [...] This empirical study investigates how specific design characteristics of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) affect user task efficiency. Conducted with 490 participants, the research examines the impact of icon size and arrangement on the speed and accuracy of user interactions. The authors developed and validated a model expressing mean object acquisition time as a function of graphical object size and configuration. Findings indicate that geometrical design characteristics significantly influence task efficiency, providing valuable insights for UI/UX designers aiming to optimize interface layouts for enhanced user performance. The study’s results are particularly relevant during the prototyping and implementation stages of software development, offering evidence-based guidelines for

• Human–computer interaction - Wikipedia

  Methods for designing new computer interfaces, thereby optimizing a design for a desired property such as learnability, findability, the efficiency of use. Methods for implementing interfaces, e.g., by means of software libraries "Library (computing)"). Methods for evaluating and comparing interfaces with respect to their usability and other desirable properties. Methods for studying human–computer use and its sociocultural implications more broadly. Methods for determining whether or not the user is human or computer. Models and theories of human–computer use as well as conceptual frameworks for the design of computer interfaces, such as cognitivist "Cognitivism (psychology)") user models, Activity Theory, or ethnomethodological accounts of human–computer use. [...] Human–computer interaction (HCI) is the process through which people operate and engage with computer systems. Research in HCI covers the design and the use of computer technology, which focuses on the interfaces between people (users) and computers. HCI researchers observe how people interact with computers and design technologies that allow humans to interact with computers in new ways. These include visual, auditory, and tactile (haptic) feedback systems, which serve as channels for interaction in both traditional interfaces "Interfaces (computer science)") and mobile computing contexts. A device that allows interaction between human and a computer is known as a "human–computer interface".

• Graphical user interface - Wikipedia

  Since the commands available in command line interfaces can be many, complex operations can be performed using a short sequence of words and symbols. Custom functions may be used to facilitate access to frequent actions. Command-line interfaces are more lightweight "Minimalism (computing)"), as they only recall information necessary for a task; for example, no preview thumbnails or graphical rendering of web pages. This allows greater efficiency and productivity once many commands are learned. But reaching this level takes some time because the command words may not be easily discoverable or mnemonic. Also, using the command line can become slow and error-prone when users must enter long commands comprising many parameters or several different filenames at once. However, windows, icons, [...] A graphical user interface, or GUI, is a form of user interface that allows users "User (computing)") to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons "Icon (computing)") and visual indicators such as secondary notation. In many applications, GUIs are used instead of text-based UIs, which are based on typed command labels or text navigation. GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces (CLIs), which require commands to be typed on a computer keyboard. [...] different filenames at once. However, windows, icons, menus, pointer (WIMP "WIMP (computing)")) interfaces present users with many widgets "Widget (GUI)") that represent and can trigger some of the system's available commands.