Interfaces

Interface can be interpreted as a surface forming the boundary between two things. In computer science these interfaces are associated with forming the connection between the machine language that runs the electronics and the user. Students should have the opportunity to reflect on the concept of interfaces first by exploring a variety of interfaces: 

• A Command Line Interface (CLI) requires commands be manually typed directly into the computer’s disk operating system. 

• A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is the most common user interface. It is graphical with user friendly images that can be manipulated by a mouse or other pointing device. 

• A Menu Drivin Interface (MDI) is commonly used on cash machines where the user has to select from a series of menus by touching buttons on the kiosk or on a touch screen. 

• A Form Based Interface (FBI) uses a form of fields’ such as drop down menus, radio buttons or check boxes so that the usr can enter data quickly and uniformly. 

• A Natural Language Interface (NLI) interprets spoken words so that it can perform commands based on what the user asks it to do. 

A GUI allows users to interact with computers through graphical objects and visual indicators, as opposed to a strictly textual input and output. GUIs were developed to make computer use easier. They have advanced from requiring a device such as a mouse to manipulate graphics to the latest touch technologies found in mobile telephones. 

In this course interfaces will include a collection of hardware, the operating system and software components. Each is designed to perform specific functions in this interface layer

Visual design is the art of presenting something visually. The visual presentation usually has a purpose and a function. In interface design, the designer wants the user to quickly and easily understand the purpose and function of the design. A vehicle instrument panel, a remote control layout, or a piece of software are all designed in a purposeful way, following the elements and principles of design. 

The elements of design include: line, shape, form, texture; and color, direction, size, value. 

The principles of visual design determine best practices for combining the elements into a particular visual arrangement. They are: balance, contrast, proportion; pattern, gradation, proximity

The Activity:

Customize the basic layout of a GUI, to meet the needs of a program written in unit three (or a program that you would like to create). This activity is to be completed using Draw.io and those elements are available outside the flowchart symbols. Many choose a mobile phone or DS-type theme for this assignment. Your GUI must also include a brief note on the purpose it serves (i.e. what the program does) and your choice of design.