The common and useful component of electronics such as computers, tablets, and smartphones is a visual interface called a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) shows useful items that indicate actions the user can perform and transmit information as per requirement. When interacting with the objects, the user can modify or simplify their size, color as well as visibility. As the text command-line interfaces in the system were complex and challenging to master, GUIs were developed. It is currently the accepted practice in software applications or system programming for required user-centered design.

What is Graphical User Interface (GUI)?

A system of interactive visual components for a computer or system software is called a GUI (graphical user interface). GUI is the interface that uses graphical elements to let people interact as per requirement with electronic devices including computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In terms of human-computer interaction systems or technology, it’s a very important component of software application programming since it substitutes actions for the text-based commands in the system. Whether it’s a text file, object, image, or video as per requirement, it displays all types of required content a user could envision in the system. Additionally, it can be featured in the gaming platform where the resolution is visible or optimal.

History of GUI

In the year of 1981, Alan Kay, Douglas Engelbart, and other researchers at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Centre) developed the GUI technology. A GUI-equipped Lisa computer was later released by Apple as per requirement on January 19, 1983. Before there was a graphical user interface, communication was done via the command-line interface, or CLI to manage the overall system. The end users did not find the CLI particularly enjoyable to use and modify, so they were unfamiliar with all of the user-beneficial commands. Thus, the interface was put into place to fill this required gap. One of the most important techniques or features, as the GUI highlights, is “ease of use.” The individual system of Xerox 8010 Information System served as the first GUI-centric machine operating model in the technology.

Components of GUI

• Pointers: The pointer appears on the user’s screen as a marking symbol. The pointer moves on to choose instructions and objects as per requirement.
• Icons: Icons allude to tiny visual representations of windows, documents, actions, and other things on the display screen to simplify. A pointer and pointing device can be used by the user to carry out the initial tasks for the overall processes.
• Pointing tool: At the initial stages, the pointing tool enables the user to select and move the required pointer items on the screen, including a trackball or mouse. It is the most beneficial tool in GUI.
• Desktop: The desktop is the screen that is contained within the icons and user beneficial.

Features of GUI

• The graphical user interface (GUI) is very easy to use and the user can modify and simplify the requirements.
• The required software, documents, or a few relevant programs are reflected in the icons on the user interface to control the overall processes properly.
• A graphical user interface (GUI) has several features as per requirement, such as tabs, a menu, pointers, and various other types of things to simplify and process smoothly.

Advantages of GUI

• A graphical user interface (GUI) is basically seen as more intuitive for users than a text-based command-line interface as per requirement, such MS-DOS or the Unix-like operating system shell process.
• It is incredibly user-friendly and readily available to all and for novices, the user interface is rather easy to understand and uncomplicated as per requirement.
• GUI represents the now-hidden lines of command with the required graphic elements.
• The end users must commit required instructions to memory for the software to function properly.

Disadvantages of GUI

• An interface which is very much difficult to use will make the required tasks more difficult for the user to complete and less effective overall processes.
• Gamers are still much affected negatively by a poor interface or surface system, therefore it remains a problem for them to control the overall system.

Conclusion

GUI enables the users to work with and display many required programs simultaneously to process. Despite the rapid advancements in technology and science, the Graphical User Interface continues to be a vital component of users online communications. Users can minimize the required strokes by using shortcut keys provided by the GUI. By using just two keys to do multiple activities, a user can save time and boost productivity as per the system. All it takes to obtain properly a function is a single click. GUI has taken over as the required primary interface for computers and mobile devices or systems because it is very much simple to use and comprehend.

Frequently Asked Questions on Graphical User Interface – FAQs

Give some examples of GUI operating systems.

The majority of operating systems have graphical user interfaces (GUIs), while some may also include a command line. The GUI operating systems that can be installed on a computer are mentioned as examples: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux etc.

What is the main difference between UI and GUI?

Basically, UI deals with how people interact with the product, whereas GUI is more concerned with appearance of the system. The creation of user-friendly and intuitive interfaces as per requirement is the responsibility of UI designers.

Are all of the operating systems are GUI?

No, all the operating systems are not GUI. Basically, the GUI is absent from older command-line operating systems like MS-DOS and some modern Linux versions.

What is the user interaction process with GUI?

Almost every required feature of the GUI can be interacted with using a pointing device, like the mouse with click. Devices that are more recent and portable also make use of touch screens as per requirement.