Graphical user interface: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:53, 6 July 2002

Revision as of 16:56, 6 August 2002

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A '''graphical user interface''' (or '''GUI''', pronounced "gooey") is a [[human-computer interaction]] method that uses graphical images in addition to text. If you are using a computer to view this article, you are probably using one right now.

The graphical user interface was invented at [[Xerox PARC]] and most modern GUIs are derived from it. For this reason, some people call this class of interface a PARC User Interface (PUI). The PUI consists of [[widget]]s such as windows, menus, buttons, radio boxes, and icons, and employs a pointing device (such as mouse, trackball, or touchscreen) in addition to a keyboard. For this reason, many people refer to PUIs as WIMPs (Windows, Icons, Mouse, Pointer).