A user interface is the part of a computer, an application, or a website that a human interacts with. It is designed to appeal and interact with the human senses of touch, sound, sight, and more. So, the UI also includes input devices like a microphone, mouse, keyboard, touch screens, camera, fingerprint, etc., and output devices like printers, speakers, monitors, etc.
The goal of the UI is to create a design principle that makes it easy for users to navigate the computer or website.
Types of User Interface
There are many different types of user interfaces, including:
Graphical User Interface
Websites and other digital products like email service providers usually have graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with elements like buttons, windows, scroll bars, pull-down menus, and icons. Recently, multimedia, including video, virtual reality, sound, and motion video, has been incorporated into GUIs.
Menu-driven UI
The menu-driven UI has visual elements that let users select from a list of options to get the desired result. This is often common in online shopping sites.
Command Line User Interface
The command line UI is more relevant to developers who use programming languages such as Pearl, Python, C, C++, Bash, and PowerShell. When a command is entered, the UI completes the task given by the command.
Form-based UI
This UI features an electronic form with checkboxes that allow users to submit their responses and forms.
Voice UI
VUI requests or receives several commands from humans and can respond accordingly.
Touch UI
This UI makes it possible for users to physically interact with the elements of an interface on a touch screen.
Natural Language UI
This type of UI can interact naturally with humans; it understands natural languages and can respond in a human-like manner. A great example is Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri. However, a natural language user interface differs from a natural user interface.
Mobile User Interface
The mobile user interface is popular in mobile applications. It is focused on creating usable and interactive interfaces that are adaptable to the smaller screens of smartphones and tablets. It also improves special features such as touch controls.