Definition
A graphical user interface is software that enables users to interact with devices by operating graphical elements like windows, scroll bars, icons, and mouse pointers. It usually doesn’t require technical knowledge to use and displays key information and available actions in a user-friendly way.
Before the graphical user interface, computers used a single command-line (CLI) interface, which require users to input precise commands. The emergence of GUI helped to popularize digital technology to the general public. However, CLI wasn’t abandoned completely, and many operating systems offer it for advanced users.
Real Graphical User Interface Examples
- The Windows operating system (OS) is one of the most popular graphical user interfaces. Its intuitive nature increased the popularity of Windows 95 and later versions.
- The macOS graphical user interface is another popular GUI. Some of its enhancements have been incorporated into other operating systems.
- The iPhone brought interactive touch-screen GUIs into the mainstream, contributing to the rise of modern smartphones and tablets.