CSC 204: PRACTICAL APPROACH OF

OPERATING SYSTEMS
WHAT IS USER INTERFACE (UI)?

Apr 17, 2020

 User interface is a program or set of programs that
sits as a layer above the OS itself.
 It brings structure to the interaction between a
user and the computer
 Help the user use the computer system productively
 Provide consistent user interface services to
application programs to lower learning curves and
increase productivity
 Choice of user interface depends on the kind of user –
writing programs vs. running applications
 The core OS functions (the management of the
computer system) lie in the kernel of OS.
 The UI is separate, though it may be tied tightly to
the kernel beneath.
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…UI
INTERFACE DESIGN

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1. CLI - Command Line Interface
2. Menu-Driven Interfaces

3. GUI - Graphical User Interface

4. NLI – Natural Language Interface

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1. COMMAND LINE INTERFACE

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A command line interface or CLI
is a method of interacting with a
computer by giving it lines of
textual commands either from
keyboard input or from a script.
 Advantages

More flexible and powerful

Faster for experienced users
Can combine commands 5
1. COMMAND LINE INTERFACES

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1. COMMAND LINE INTERFACES

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 Some older operating systems, such
as DOS and UNIX, use command-line
interfaces.
 In a command-line interface, you type
commands at a prompt.
 A command line interpreter reads lines of
text that the user types and interprets
them in the context of a given operating
system or programming language

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1. COMMAND LINE INTERFACE

Apr 17, 2020

 Examples of command line
interpreters :
 Various
Unix Shell programs such as bash
 command.com (DOS, Windows)
 Cmd.exe (OS/2, Windows NT)

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EXAMPLE: UNIX

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 UNIX is the oldest operating system
used on PCs.
 UNIX was the first multi-user,
multiprocessor, multitasking
operating system available for use on
PCs.
 Most versions of UNIX use a command-
line interface, but some versions offer a
GUI.

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…UNIX ARCHITECTURE

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FOUR BASICS OF UNIX
ARCHITECTURE

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i. Hardware
ii. Kernel
iii. Shell
iv. Browser

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…UNIX

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 UNIX has user interfaces called shells
which is text-based interface. Example:
Korn Shell and C Shell
 There are also graphical user
interfaces such as X-Windows and
Gnome that make Unix and Linux more
like Windows and Macintosh computers
from the user’s point of view.

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 SHELL CONCEPT (UNIX)

Apr 17, 2020

 The shell is the user interface
with the Unix system, the
middleman between user
and the kernel.
 The shell displays a "prompt,"
to notify user that it is ready to
accept command.
 The shell is a program that the
Unix kernel runs for user.
 A program is referred to as a
process while the kernel is
running it. 14
TYPES OF SHELL (UNIX)

Apr 17, 2020

 In UNIX, there are two major
types of shells:
1. The Bourne shell. If you are using
a Bourne-type shell, the default
prompt is the $ character.
2. The C shell. If you are using a C-
type shell, the default prompt is the
% character.
 Various subcategories for
Bourne Shell
1. Bourne shell ( sh)
2. Korn shell ( ksh)
3. Bourne Again shell ( bash)
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2. MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE

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 No need to memorize commands
 All available commands are listed

 Menus can be nested

 Low data requirements

 Still used in many ATM and Point-of-Sale

systems

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2. MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE

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3. GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI)

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 Most modern operating systems, like Windows
and the Macintosh OS, provide a graphical
user interface (GUI).
 Xwindows in linux also provide a graphical
user interface (KDE, GNOME)
 A GUI lets you control the system by using a
mouse to click graphical objects on
screen.
 It is based on the desktop metaphor. Graphical
objects appear on a background (the
desktop), representing resources you can use.

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3. GUI INTERFACE – WINDOWS XP

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3. GUI INTERFACE – WINDOWS

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3. GUI INTERFACE – LINUX

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3. GUI INTERFACE – LINUX

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3. GUI INTERFACE - MACINTOSH

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3. GUI INTERFACE - MAC OS

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3. GUI TOOLS

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 Icons are pictures that represent
computer resources, such as printers,
documents, and programs.
 You double-click an icon to choose
(activate) it, for instance, to launch a
program.
 The Windows operating system offers
two unique tools, called the taskbar
and Start button. These help you run
and manage programs.

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APPLICATIONS AND THE INTERFACE

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 Applications designed to run under one
operating system use similar interface elements.
 Under an OS such as Windows, you see a familiar
interface no matter what programs you use.
 In a GUI, each program opens and runs in a
separate window—a frame that presents the
program and its documents.
 In a GUI, you can run multiple programs at
once, each in a separate window. The
application in use is said to be the active
window.

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USER INTERFACE - MENUS

Apr 17, 2020

 GUI-based programs let you issue
commands by choosing them from
menus.
 A menu groups related commands. For
example, the File menu's commands let
you open, save, and print document files.
 Menus let you avoid memorizing and
typing command names.
 In programs designed for the same GUI,
menus and commands are similar from
one program to another.
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USER INTERFACE - DIALOG BOXES

Apr 17, 2020

 A dialog box is a special window that
appears when a program or the OS
needs more information before
completing a task.
 Dialog boxes are so named because
they conduct a "dialog" with the user,
asking the user to provide more
information or make choices.

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 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
CLI AND GUI

Apr 17, 2020

User Advantages Disadvantages
Interface
CLI • More flexible and • Difficult to learn and
powerful use
• Faster for
experienced users
• Can combine
command
• Less memory used

GUI • Easy to learn and • Harder to implement

use • More
• Little training hardware/software
• Suitable to requirements
multitasking • Requires lots of
memory 29
• Software is complex
and difficult to write
CLI VS GUI

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CLI VS GUI

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CLI VS GUI

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4. NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERFACE
(NLI)

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 Provides verbal commands given to
computer
 Utilizes such natural language processing as
voice recognition, voice data entry and
voice response
 Primary devices :
 Input-keyboard, pointing devices and
microphone
 Output – speaker
 Need a powerful computer with a great deal of
memory and a fast processor
 Can be observed in multimedia applications
and online games
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4. NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERFACE
(NLI)

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User Advantages Disadvantages
Interface
NLI • Very easy for new • Can be unreliable
users • Can interpret
• Quick incorrectly (dialect)
• Hands free (people
with disabilities)

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