Meaning of interface (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Interface:

As an interface we designate, in computing, the physical and functional connection that is established between two devices, devices or systems that work independently of each other. In this sense, communication between a human being and a computer is done through an interface.

The word interface, as such, comes from the English interface , which means 'contact surface'.

The interface is the mechanism or tool that enables this communication by representing a set of objects, icons, and graphic elements that come to function as metaphors or symbols for the actions or tasks that the user can perform on the computer. For example, entering data on a blank sheet, sending a document to the trash, modifying a file, closing a program.

In computing, there are basically two types of interfaces: the physical interface, made up of objects that allow us to enter data and manipulate the computer, such as the mouse or keyboard, which would function as prostheses or extensions of our body; and the graphical interface, also known as GUI ( Graphic User Interface ), which allows human beings to interact with the computer through a series of graphic elements (windows, icons, etc.).

User interface

The user interface designates the means that a person uses to communicate with a machine, device or computer. They are usually friendly and intuitive, making them easy to understand and use for a user. It includes elements such as menus, windows, keyboard, mouse, alert sounds, that is, all those channels through which effective communication is established between humans and machines.

Graphical user interface

As graphical user interface, also known as GUI (acronym in English for Graphic User Interface ), it is known the computer program that uses a set of images and objects in a graphical simulation environment to represent all the actions available to the user. on the interface. This system is called WYSIWYG ( What You See Is What You Get , that is: 'what you see is what you get').

The purpose of the graphical user interface is to offer people a friendly and intuitive visual environment that facilitates communication with the operating system, the machine or the computer. Examples of graphical user interfaces would be the desktop environments of operating systems such as Windows, GNU / Linux or Mac OS.