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JSS2: COMPUTER STUDIES - 1ST TERM

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  1. Computer Software | Week 1
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  2. Operating System | Week 2
    9 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  3. Computer Memory: Primary And Secondary Memory | Week 3
    5 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  4. Computer Memory II: Secondary Memory (Backing Storage) | Week 4
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  5. Number System I | Week 5
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  6. Number System II | Week 6
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  7. Units of Storage In Computer | Week 7
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  8. Problem Solving Skills With Computer | Week 8
    5 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  9. Computer Programming Languages | Week 9
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
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Topic Content:

  • Meaning of Graphical User Interface (GUI)
  • Meaning of Command Line Interface (CLI)

The command-line interface (CLI) and graphical user interface (GUI) are two different ways for users to interact with an operating system.

What is a Graphical User Interface?

GUI lets a user interact with the device/system with the help of graphical elements, like windows, menus, icons, etc.

Windows 10 GUI
Windows 10 GUI.

The GUI OS consists of icons and graphics. Computer users generally navigate through information by using a mouse. The GUI OS does not use command-line operations like MS-DOS or UNIX.

Users do not have to bother themselves with cramming codes since they just have to manipulate icons, windows, and menus. This has made Windows one of the most popular operating systems used today by end-users. Some examples of GUI OS include MS Windows XP, Windows 2000, Vista,7, 8, ME, etc

What is a Command Line Interface?

The Command Line Interface (CLI) is an editing environment that is text-based. It performs numerous tasks, including installing and running programs, managing computer files and interacting with the computer, using specified text, also known as commands.

For example, the root MS-DOS command line prompt is generally C:\>, in Windows C: and in Unix and Linux may be % or >.

command line prompt
Command Line Prompt (DOS)

Unlike the GUI OS, a CLI uses the keyboard to navigate by entering commands and does not utilize a mouse. Because a command-line interface requires unique commands, this interface is often more difficult to learn because of the need to memorize dozens of different commands.

However, a command-line OS can be a very valuable resource, especially in database programs such as Oracle and SQL. So it should not be ignored.