INTERFACE (COMPUTING): CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES AND EXAMPLES - TECHNOLOGY - 2025

The interface (computing) is a shared demarcation through which two or more individual devices of a computer exchange information. This can include display screens, keyboards, mice, and the appearance of a desktop.

Therefore, it is the connection and interaction between hardware, software and the user. Users "talk" to the software. Software "talks" to hardware or other software. Hardware "talks" to other hardware. All of this is an interface.

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Computers have been around for more than half a century. However, the way most people interact with them hasn't changed much.

Considering the fact that computers are much more powerful today than they were 50 years ago it is surprising that the basic interfaces have not changed much.

In 1968 a device that would be called a computer mouse was shown. Even the graphical user interface has been around for a while. The first to gain popularity was on the Macintosh in 1984.

characteristics

Function

In hardware, electronic signals trigger different situations. Data is written, read, sent, received, errors are checked, etc.

In software, instructions activate hardware through data link protocols, access methods, etc.

Easy to use

If the product lacks usability, nobody will want it. The ease with which someone uses the product is what will achieve the desired goal.

The inherent usability of the interfaces must be considered in order to understand and use the underlying system. Usability should be straightforward if you want people to use it widely.

For example, if you design an application to sell movie and event tickets online, where users can select rows, seat numbers, etc., the application needs to consolidate that multi-step process and transform it into a linear path.

Easy to learn

Any interface should be designed to be intuitive and familiar, since users after using a product will not really remember all the functions. To reduce complexity, the interface must be consistent as well as predictable.

A simple example is when a designer uses a box to open some images and causes others to open in a new tab. This breaks consistency and also predictability, confusing and annoying users.

Feedback and response time

Feedback is key to interface design. The product should communicate with users by providing feedback when the desired task is done and what needs to be done next.

Take the Hootsuite owl as an example, which falls asleep if it is inactive for a long time.

Response time on feedback is also a key factor. It must be in real time and with immediate response, within the range between 0.1 seconds and 5 seconds.

Types

- Hardware interface

Used to connect two or more electronic devices. They are the plugs, cables and electrical signals that travel through them.

Some devices can send and receive data through the interface, such as a touch screen. On the other hand, a mouse or microphone can only provide an interface to send data to a given system.

- Software interface

They are the messages that computer programs use to communicate with devices and also with each other.

The rules, formats and functions between components in a communication system or network are called protocols.

- User interface

The design of the interaction between the user and the computer is called the user interface.

Command line

It is a text-based interface, used to manage files on a computer.

Before the mouse, users interacted with an operating system or an application with the keyboard. Users wrote commands in this interface so that they could run tasks on a computer.

Graphical user interface

It is a program that allows a user to interact with the computer with the use of icons and devices such as the mouse. This interface is currently the standard used by computers.

The use of this interface has made the operation of the computer much more attractive and intuitive.

Menu-based

Provides an easy to use interface, consisting of a set of menus accessed by pressing buttons, commonly on a touch screen device.

It is generally used in ATMs and information booths in shopping centers or museums.

Speech recognition

Leveraging powerful advances in speech recognition and natural language processing, these new interfaces are more intuitive and effective than ever.

Examples

- Hardware interface

There are many hardware interfaces, because there are a wide variety of electronic devices. However, standards such as USB and HDMI have served to reduce the number of interfaces.

After all, it would be quite difficult if each digital camera, printer, keyboard, and mouse used a different interface.

USB

Various types of devices can be connected to a computer via the USB interface. For example, a printer connects to a computer generally through a USB interface.

Thus, the USB port of the computer is considered the hardware interface. On the other hand, the printer's USB interface is where the other end of the USB cable connects.

IPods have a proprietary interface with which they can be connected via USB to a charger and also transfer data.

Ethernet

It is commonly used for networking, which is why most modems and routers have an Ethernet interface.

MIDI

Audio devices can have analog or digital audio connections and can include a MIDI interface for transferring MIDI data.

- User interface

Graphical user interface

It is best known for its implementation on Apple's Macintosh computer and Microsoft's Windows operating system.

Command line interface

Examples of this interface are the MS-DOS operating system and also the Command Shell in the Windows operating system.

Today's systems using the Unix operating system provide this type of interface in addition to the graphical user interface.

Web applications

Websites like Virgin America, Airbnb, and Dropbox display a solid user interface design.

Sites like these have created nice designs, easily operable and focused on the user and their needs.

References

1. Steven Levy (2019). Graphical user interface. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Taken from: britannica.com.
2. Jonathan Strickland (2019). How will humans interface with computers in the future? How Stuff Works. Taken from: computer.howstuffworks.com.
3. Margaret Rouse (2019). User interface (UI). Tech Target. Taken from: searchapparchitecture.techtarget.com.
4. PC Magazine (2019). Definition of: interface. Taken from: pcmag.com.
5. Wikibooks (2019). System software: User interfaces. Taken from: en.wikibooks.org.