All computer designers are faced with the question of how users are going o communicate with the machine in order to get it to do what they want it to do. The operating system performs five basic functions in the operations of computer system providing a user interface, resource management, task management, file management and utilities, and support services.
The user interfaces the part of the operating system that allows the user to communicate with it so he can load program, access files and accomplish other tasks.
It is that portion of an interactive computer system that communicates with the user. Design of the user interface includes any aspect of the system that is visible to the user.
The user interface for ENIAC and other early computers consisted of switches or plugs for configuring the machine for a particular problem.
The user interface encompasses all components of a device with which users operate the device or attain information. If well designed, the user interface could facilitate users to conduct actions intuitively and to achieve tasks effectively and efficiently. Three main types of user interfaces are the command-driven, menu-driven, and graphical user interface.
The trend in user interfaces for operating systems and other software is moving away from the entry of brief and user commands, or even the selection of choices from menus options.
Instead most software provides an easy-to- use graphical user interface (GUI) that uses icons, bars, button, boxes, and other images. GUIs rely on pointing devices like the electronic mouse or touch-pad to make selections that help the user get things done.
Because much interactions with computers is now away from the desktop and taking place on laptops, handheld or palm computers and even in cars, there is likely to be continuing experimentation with user interface design.
The User Interface
A computer system comprises hardware and software components, aiming to offer a powerful computational tool. These systems play a crucial role across diverse domains, aiding us in numerous tasks. The prevalence of the internet has significantly bolstered the utilization of computers for information sharing and communication. Computer systems empower us to store, process, display, and transmit information. Even in a basic modern computer system, multiple programs are typically required to carry out various functions effectively.
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