Difference between revisions of "Graphical user interface"
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| − | The '''graphical user interface''' (often referred to as a '''GUI'''), now the almost universal form of [[user interface]] to computing devices, is based on images, now displayed on a [[bit-mapped display]], but | + | The '''graphical user interface''' (often referred to as a '''GUI'''), now the almost universal form of [[user interface]] to computing devices, is based on images, now displayed on a [[bit-mapped display]], but initially with [[vector graphics]] on a [[cathode ray tube|CRT]]. |
| − | The user interacts with the [[operating system]] and [[application]]s with a pointing input device, which is | + | The user interacts with the [[operating system]] and [[application]]s with a pointing input device, which is the main input form (although the [[keyboard]] is still used). The first pointing device was the [[light pen]]; then came the [[mouse]], and now the [[touch-pad]]. Recently, the pointing device has been used to supplant the keyboard in some systems, by means of [[hand-writing recognition]]. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The first GUI was associated with the [[SAGE]] air defense system. The next steps were taken by Douglas Engelbart of the [[Augmentation Research Center]] at the Stanford Research Institute. That work was taken up at the nearby [[Xerox PARC]], with the ground-breaking [[Xerox Alto]] project, the first [[personal computer]]. | + | The first GUI was associated with the [[SAGE]] air defense system; its precursor, [[Whirlwind]], hosted the genesis of the light pen (there called a 'light gun'). |
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| + | The next steps were taken by Douglas Engelbart of the [[Augmentation Research Center]] at the Stanford Research Institute. That work was then taken up at the nearby [[Xerox PARC]], with the ground-breaking [[Xerox Alto]] project, the first [[personal computer]]. | ||
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| + | Work at PARC introduced the [[window]] concept, to allow multiple simultaneous applications to share the screen. A number of companies, including [[Microsoft]] and [[Apple Computer]], then produced products based on PARC's work, which popularized the concept. | ||
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Revision as of 17:00, 15 September 2018
The graphical user interface (often referred to as a GUI), now the almost universal form of user interface to computing devices, is based on images, now displayed on a bit-mapped display, but initially with vector graphics on a CRT.
The user interacts with the operating system and applications with a pointing input device, which is the main input form (although the keyboard is still used). The first pointing device was the light pen; then came the mouse, and now the touch-pad. Recently, the pointing device has been used to supplant the keyboard in some systems, by means of hand-writing recognition.
History
The first GUI was associated with the SAGE air defense system; its precursor, Whirlwind, hosted the genesis of the light pen (there called a 'light gun').
The next steps were taken by Douglas Engelbart of the Augmentation Research Center at the Stanford Research Institute. That work was then taken up at the nearby Xerox PARC, with the ground-breaking Xerox Alto project, the first personal computer.
Work at PARC introduced the window concept, to allow multiple simultaneous applications to share the screen. A number of companies, including Microsoft and Apple Computer, then produced products based on PARC's work, which popularized the concept.
