Answer 2_11_11

State the difference between a command line interface and a graphical user interface.  Give one advantage of each.

Command line interface:

• Commands have to be typed;
• Commands have to done in the correct coding.
• Users need to know the exact commands to carry out functions
• Advantage is that experts can carry out functions very quickly

GUI:

• Consists of easily understood icons.
• These are selected with a mouse pointer;
• Pop-up menus are possible with a right-click of the mouse;
• Much more intuitive than a command line interface
• Advantage is that it is much easier to use by a non-expert.

[Side note: There are still command line experts who rather look down their noses at GUI.  The acronym WIMP (Windows Icons Mouse Pointer) was initially coined as a rather sneering term.  The term "user-friendly" came from the GUI.]

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