Updated July 1, 2023
Difference between GUI and CLI
Any device’s operating system is nothing but an interface between the user and the hardware components of that device. The operating system offers a GUI vs CLI user interface to interact with an electronic device. Some operating systems provide GUI and CLI, while others offer only CLI. GUI is a Graphical user interface, while CLI is the command line interface. As the name suggests, one has to write commands to perform a certain CLI system task. On the other hand, GUI offers graphics that consist of icons and images that enable users to do a task directly. CLI requires command expertise to perform a certain task, while a beginner can operate GUI.
For its working, GUI uses computer graphics. One can click on the icon; drag the object with the help of a mouse. There is no need to remember commands in this. GUI comes with numerous components. With the help of a textbox editor, one can enter input data in this. A menu offers a list of options to choose from. Buttons enable the user to select a particular option. The checkbox element allows the user to choose an option from multiple alternatives. Linux and Windows use a Graphical User Interface. It comprises icons, search boxes, windows, menus, and other graphical elements.
Command language interpreter, Character User Interface, and console user interface are different command-line interface names. In this system, first, the user enters the commands and presses enter to execute that command. In this way, the user can interact with the device. It is important to have correct knowledge of syntax to give effective commands. An operating system like UNIX has CLI, While an operating system like Linux and Windows have both CLI and GUI.
Head To Head Comparison between GUI and CLI (Infographics)
Below are the top 8 differences between CLI vs GUI:
Key Differences between GUI and CLI
Below are the lists of points that describe the key differences between GUI vs CLI:
User-friendly
Command Line Interface requires commands to be memorized, thus becoming challenging for beginners. Professionals often prefer CLI. GUI is more user-friendly than CLI and can be used by beginners and experienced professionals.
Multitasking
Multitasking may or may not be involved in the command-line interface. On the other hand, In GUI, one can easily multitask. For example- MS word, chrome has multitasking ability to perform tasks.
Handling Complex Tasks
Command Line Interface is best for handling complex tasks. One can take a complex task by writing a few commands, while GUI requires some steps to follow to work.
Resource Handling
Only the keyboard and system are used while interacting; conversely, GUI has extra resources to interact with the user.
Performance
Graphical User Interface is slow as compared to the Command Line Interface. It required more time to perform tasks. On the other hand, CLI has better performance. One can script a series of instructions to carry out the task, while GUI does not provide this facility.
Networking
Graphical User Interface connects with another computer remotely to gain access, while on the other hand connecting with CLI is quite difficult. Professionals are required to get access to another electronic device.
Interface
In Command Line Interface, the interface is consistent all the time. In GUI, the interface changes with the update of the software.
Interaction
There is less color strain in the eyes in the Command Line Interface. In GUI, the color strain is more. CLI offers more control over the system through a command-line interface. GUI has a few limitations in accessing folders and performing certain tasks.
Examples- Windows Operating System – MS Word- GUI, MS Docs-CLI
GUI vs CLI Comparison Table
Below is the topmost comparison between GUI vs CLI
| Basis of comparison | GUI | CLI |
| Basic | This user interface enables the user to interact with electronic devices with the help of graphical icons and visual indicators. | This user interface enables a user to give a command to interact with an electronic device. |
| Ease of understating | The graphical user interface is visually intuitive. It is easy to understand for beginners. | Due to the need to remember commands, it isn’t easy to handle and requires expertise. |
| Memory Requirement | It requires more memory as it consists of a lot of graphical components. | It requires less memory as compared to GUI. |
| Speed | It generally uses a mouse to execute commands. The speed of GUI is Slower than CLI. | Because the keyboard is used to execute the commands, the speed of the CLI is Faster than GUI. |
| Appearance | One can change the appearance with a customizable option. | It is not possible to change the appearance. |
| Flexibility | More flexible than CLI | Less flexible than GUI |
| Device used | Keyboard and mouse | Keyboard |
| Precision | Low as compared to the CLI | High as compared to the GUI |
Advantages of GUI over CLI
- One can edit the configuration manually.
- One can memorize tasks easily, as in CLI; one has to type commands in the terminal, which may be difficult for most beginners.
- It enables average computer users to interact with the computer. No need to have expertise in the computer
- The main feature of any software is its ease of use. The customer often preferred software that offered a user-friendly interface. As GUI provides the same, it is beneficial in increasing the selling of the software.
Benefits of CLI over GUI
- Whether you are writing code or giving instructions to the computer CLI provides better control to the user.
- Navigating through different icons makes the GUI slow. Thus CLI offers better speed as commands are directly given to the computer. So many professionals preferred CLI because of its speed and performance.
- Sometimes professionals are required to work in more than two languages. CLI is a great option for professionals who work on more programming languages.
Conclusion
In the GUI vs CLI article, we have come up with some important points regarding the Graphic user interface and command-line interface. This article explains the key difference between GUI vs CLI and its comparison.
To conclude, the main difference between GUI vs CLI is how it enables users to interact with the system. GUI is more user-friendly, while CLI is more advanced and powerful.
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