User interfaces: talking to a computer — Computing, 7–10
A user interface is the part of a computer you can see and use. It turns your choices into actions and shows you what happened.
What an interface does
An interface is the meeting place between you and a computer. Buttons, icons, menus, touch screens and sounds let you give instructions, while messages and changes show you the result. When you tap a bin, you are choosing an action through the interface.
Why interfaces exist
A computer can follow instructions, but its internal signals are not a friendly way for people to work. Interfaces were made to solve that problem: they give us visible choices instead of long strings of machine commands. They also give feedback, so you can tell whether your action worked.
Saving a drawing
Imagine you have drawn a red star. First, you tap the menu button. Next, you choose “Save as” and type “star”; the text box is another interface control. Then you tap “Save”. A message or a new file name confirms that the computer received your choices.
The icon is not the action
It is reasonable to think that an icon is just a picture, so tapping it should always do the same thing. But its meaning depends on the app and the situation: a triangle may play music, start a video or move to the next page. If you are unsure, check the label, hint or change on the screen.
Interfaces everywhere
You use interfaces at a cash machine, on a lift, in a car and on a games console. Each one offers a small set of controls and shows what is happening. Good design helps you choose safely; a clear “Cancel” button matters when a choice could cost money or erase something.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…