User Interface Flashcards
all about user interface
What is it
User interfaces (UI) are the points of interaction between a user and a computer system, software, or application.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Description: Uses visual elements like windows, icons, buttons, and menus to enable user interaction.
Components:
Windows: Rectangular areas for displaying information and interacting with applications.
Icons: Small images representing programs, files, or functions.
Menus: Lists of options or commands that users can select from.
Buttons: Interactive elements that users can click to perform actions.
Advantages:
Intuitive and user-friendly.
Visual representation of information.
Easier for beginners to learn and use.
Disadvantages:
Requires more system resources (memory, processing power).
Can be slower for experienced users compared to command-line interfaces.
Examples: Windows, macOS, GNOME, KDE.
Menu-Driven Interface
Description: Users interact with the system by navigating through a series of menus.
Components:
Main Menu: Primary list of options or categories.
Sub-Menus: Nested menus under main menu options.
Navigation Controls: Buttons or keys to move through menus.
Advantages:
Simple and easy to navigate.
Clear structure for accessing different functions.
Disadvantages:
Can be slow to navigate through multiple levels.
Not suitable for complex or detailed tasks.
Examples: ATM interfaces, DVD/Blu-ray player menus, older mobile phone interfaces.
Different types of user interfaces
Touch UI-Users interact with the system through touch gestures on touch-sensitive screens.
Voice UI- Users interact with the system using voice commands.
Form-based UI-Users interact with the system through forms with fields for data entry
Natural language UI-Users interact with the system using natural language, either typed or spoken
contextual menu
A contextual menu, also known as a context menu or right-click menu, is a menu that appears in response to a user’s interaction with a particular object or area within a graphical user interface (GUI).
Ribbon menu
The Ribbon menu is a user interface element commonly found in modern software applications, particularly in productivity tools like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as in other applications like Adobe Photoshop.
File menu
The “File” menu is a common feature in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of software applications. It is typically found at the top-left corner of the application window, along with other menus like “Edit,” “View,” “Tools,” and “Help.”
