GUI stands for Graphical User Interface while CUI stands for Character User Interface.
Also Read: 48 Best Websites For Free Design Resources
What Is GUI?
GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. This is a type of interface where user interacts with the computer using graphics. Graphics include icons, navigation bars, images etc. Mouse can be used while using this interface to interact with the graphics. It is a very user-friendly interface and requires no expertise.
In GUI, it is a user interface which user interact with applications by making use of graphics or visual clue. In simple terms, CUI means you have to take help of a keyboard to type commands to interact with the computer. More than one task can run simultaneously in GUI. Also, GUI is much easier to navigate than CUI and have very user friendly interface.
GUI is very common and we can preview the contents before print where visual indicators and icons are easy to understand. CUI consists of different components such as text box, icon, desktop, pointing device etc. It supports multi user and multiprocessing system, and it executes multiple programs simultaneously.
GUI is slow as lot of processing power is required to handle computer generated graphics. GUI requires more memory as it contains a lot of graphical components. It is easier to change the appearance of Graphical User Interface or GUI with a bunch of customizable options. Precision of GUI is less as compared to the CUI and Flexibility of GUI is more compared to the CUI.
Examples of GUI: Windows, MacOS, Android, Apple's IOS, Firefox OS
KEY POINTS OF GUI
GUI lets user interacts with graphics.
GUI is easier than CUI.
GUI uses keyboard, mouse or any other pointing device.
Speed of GUI is low.
GUI requires more memory.
GUI is more flexible.
GUI is highly customizable.
Also Read: Trendy Logo Design Styles in 2021
What Is CUI?
CUI stands for Character User Interface. This is a type of user interface where user interacts with computer using only keyboard. to perform any action, a command is required. CUI is precursor of GUI and was used in most primitive computers. Most modern computers use GUI.
In CUI, user has to interact with the applications by making use of commands. In simple terms, CUI is an interface that involves use of basic commands such as text, symbols and numbers. CUI is hard to navigate when compared to GUI and can only run one task at a time. In CUI, everything is done by using commands.
CUI is less common and impossible to preview the contents like GUI where commands and their syntax need to to be memorized. CUI only uses keyboard and does not consist of different components such as text box, icon, desktop, pointing devices etc. CUI does not support the multi programming and multi user concept.
CUI is fast as less processing power is required to text and symbol based commands. CUI does not require more memory and can be done with less RAM compared to GUI. It is not possible to change the appearance of Character User Interface or CUI. Precision of CUI is very high as compared to the GUI and Flexibility of CUI is less compared to the GUI.
Examples of CUI: MS-DOS, Unix, Windows Command Prompt, Terminals & Kernels, Linux
KEY POINTS OF CUI
CUI lets user interacts with commands.
It is difficult than GUI.
CUI uses keyboard only.
Speed of CUI is high.
CUI requires less memory.
CUI is less flexible.
CUI is not customizable.
Comparison
We hope now you understood the concept of Graphical & Command User Interface and how they work. Difference between GUI & CUI is not that much of a deal, but still marks an impact..
