What is the interface

The interaction of a person with a computer is the most important link in the process of solving applied problems of a different nature. So, what is an interface?

The interface is a complex of physical and logical forms of interaction of individual components of technical equipment that make up the operating system. In other words, it is a set of certain algorithms and agreements for the exchange of information between components (logical interface type), as well as the unification of mechanical, physical and functional characteristics through which the interaction is realized (physical type of interface).

Also, this term is often referred to as software and hardware, which form a connection between devices and aircraft nodes. The interface is spread over all physical and logical means by which the computer system interacts with the external environment, for example, with the operating system, the user, etc.

Having considered what an interface is, it is necessary to distinguish its types with their inherent features. Thus, interfaces differ in the structure of connections, the method of connection and the method of data transmission, the principles of control and synchronization.

Types of interfaces

The intra-machine interface is a communication system and means for connecting the units and computer nodes to each other. In fact, it combines the electrical communication lines (wires), the interface scheme with the components of the computer, as well as protocols (algorithms) for signal transmission. The machine interface, in turn, is divided into simply connected and multiply connected. In the first case, the connection of all PC units to each other is carried out with the help of local wires, and in the second one - using a common or system bus.

An external interface is a system for communicating a computer with peripheral devices or with other computers. They are also divided into several types: a peripheral interface and a network interface. The first is connected using I / O buses, and the second one is connected to a peer-to-peer network or a client-server network.

The human-machine interface. In another way it is called custom. What is the human-computer interface? This is the way in which a task is performed, that is, the actions that you are doing, and what results as a result. This interface is focused, first of all, on the person, that is, it meets its needs and takes into account weaknesses.

Since the user interface is most interesting to a person, it is also classified into several subspecies: command, SILK and WIMP.

At the command interface, the interaction of a person with a PC is carried out by feeding the computer (electronic computer) certain commands that it performs in order to give the user the desired result. It can be based on batch technology or command line technology.

The serial interface provides the transmission of information (a sequence of bits) along a single line.

What is the SILK interface? This is the kind of user interface that is most close to normal human communication, that is, to a normal conversation. So, the computer analyzes a person's speech and finds in it the necessary key phrases, on the basis of which it performs certain commands, giving out the result to the person also in a form understandable to him. This type of interface is associated with significant financial costs, so it is used at this stage only for military purposes.

A characteristic feature of the WIMP interface is that the user's dialogue with the computer is maintained by means of windows, the cursor, graphic images and other elements. To it carry the standard interface of OS of family Windows.