Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Command Line Interface (CLI)

It is the interface between the hardware components and the user that makes up any operating system. Operating systems enable users to interact with devices. This is done by providing both a command-line interface (CLI) and a graphic user interface (GUI).

Through GUI, applications and devices can be controlled by clicking graphical icons. Users use a console or text-based GUI to navigate or control devices or software.

CLIs and GUIs have different purposes for computer navigation, which can influence whether they should be used. GUIs make a computer’s actions easier to understand, especially because they represent them visually. CLI is used by software developers, system administrators, and others that need to perform advanced tasks.

There are a number of differences between GUIs and CLIs. This article compares the ease of use, multitasking, remote access, scripting, speed, and control among them.

What is GUI?

User interfaces, or graphical user interfaces (GUIs), are visual representations of communication that facilitate interaction with electronic devices. GUIs often combine icons like menus, cursors, tabs, windows, and scroll bars with graphic representations.

Using these graphical icons, the user communicates with the electronic device. We will see later in this article that using the command-line interface (CLI) is not the normal type of communication.

Software application programming usually involves graphic user interfaces as a standard feature. Through them, users are able to interact with and operate electronic devices, especially computers.

Microsoft’s Windows operating system and Apple Inc.’s Macintosh are excellent examples of GUI.

What is CLI?

A command-line interface (CLI) is a program that uses text input to perform operations on an operating system. In the early days of computing, CLI was the standard method for interacting with computers. Since the development of GUI, however, this situation has changed.

Yet, system administrators and software developers use command-line interfaces to install software, access features not available in graphical interfaces, and configure computers. CLIs are most commonly used today in the form of the Bash shell (for Mac OS and Linux) and MS-DOS (for Windows).

The differences between graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line interface (CLI)

The basic differences between both of them are :

Ease of use

Using a GUI is easier. The reason for this is its user-friendly interface. When dealing with GUI, the user receives immediate visual feedback, while it is not apparent when using CLI. You would be better able to navigate and operate CLI-powered devices if you had more memorization and familiarity. An unfamiliar user may find it more difficult to operate a CLI than a GUI.

Multitasking

A CLI environment is great for multitasking. With GUIs, it is not as efficient to perform multiple tasks on one screen at the same time. In GUI, users can control, manipulate, view, and toggle through multiple directories and programs quickly and easily with the help of windows. For example, MS Word allows you to perform multiple tasks.

Remote Access

Over a network, command-line access and manipulation of files in another device or computer are possible. But you need to know the commands to do so, which might be a challenge for new users. Remote access is also possible using a graphic user interface. In GUIs, remote devices navigation is straightforward and very easy, unlike with CLIs. Professionals use GUIs to remotely access users’ computers and manage servers.

Scripting

The syntax and commands of CLI need to be mastered. It may be difficult for new users to create scripts. Programming software can be used to create scripts using GUIs. Using programming software, you don’t need to know all the syntax and commands to write scripts or build other software. Software for programming includes compilers, interpreters, and debuggers. Integrated development environments (IDEs) combine all of these programs.

Speed

Professionals seeking speed and performance prefer CLI. With GUI, one has to navigate through different icons. Therefore, the GUI is slow. With CLI, however, you can navigate using the keyboard only. Consequently, performance is improved. While modern GUIs are faster, you still need a keyboard and mouse to type. Taking your hand off the keyboard while moving the mouse pointer is slower since CLI requires only the keyboard.

Control

GUIs allow users to control the operating system and files. To perform advanced tasks, one still needs the CLI. Command-line interfaces provide full control over the operating system and its files. In addition, tasks become easier with CLI. Create a script containing several commands and leave it to do the majority of the work. There is no full support for automation or scripting in GUI shortcuts. In this way, each action in the graphical user interface must be repeated by the user.

Drawbacks of CLI

• CLI is challenging to use, even for experienced users, due to its large number of commands.
• It is possible to make a mistake with CLI. The command may be mistyped and not get processed.
• You may need to start over if you typed instructions incorrectly.

Drawbacks of GUI

• Resources are not optimized for the GUI. This is done to make the interface more user-friendly, and as a result, it uses more computer memory.
• GUI-based applications require more RAM to run than applications with other interface types.
• To find hidden commands, users need to consult the Help file.
• Compared to other interface types, GUI uses more processing power.

Conclusion

The article has successfully explained the differences between GUI and CLI. GUI users have to interact with the operating system through graphical elements such as icons, menus, and windows. Operating system functions are performed through CLI more via text input. CLIs are more powerful and advanced, but GUIs are more user-friendly.

Thanks, once again for reading our blog. If you have any queries then you can mail us to futuretechnoindia@yahoo.com

You can follow us on

Instagram: futuretechnoindia

LinkedIn: futuretechnoindia

Blogger: futuretechnoindia