The design principles of a graphical user interface (GUI) are according to the model view controlled software. A graphical view of the information to the user is more feasible than command codes. The visual widget provided by GUI helps the users for easy interaction with the system. The widgets are set to respond according to the data they hold and help the user to perform the required actions to complete a task. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is independent of the functions of application software. The appearance of software can be designed using an attractive GUI.
Nowadays, applications design their own GUI to display the icons other than using the default GUI existing in the operating system. Standard GUI software has its formats for graphical representation and font formats for text. Following a particular standard in the designing process of GUI helps the software to communicate and share data between GUI’s having a common working design. Graphical User Interface testing is the process of evaluating the functionalities and design parameters of a GUI system. GUI testing tools are available as manual checking, automated checking, and using tools developed by third-party designers. These tools are verified with license and are used by many software companies. Some of the GUI testing tools now available are Tricentric Tosca, Squish GUI Tester, Unified Functional Testing (UFT), Maveryx, Appium, eggPlant Functions, etc.
Each visual programming language has its advantages in the designing process of GUI. C# and Java are considered the best programming languages due to their ability to simultaneously run the GUI software in browser and desktop applications. Other programming languages used for developing GUI software are python, HTML 5 with JavaScript, C, and C++.
Examples for Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The modern technology operating system and GUI work are closely incorporated in every application to provide a flexible service to the users.
Sketchpad is the first program for computer-aided graphical design. Ivan Sutherland developed it in 1962. Ivan introduced a light pen that provides the students of MIT institute to create and control objects in engineering graphics drawing on the monitor.
Some modern applications working under the combined action of operating system and GUI are the ATMs, self-service checkouts like self ticketing and self-checking in airlines, modern video games, desktops, smartphone, and so on.
Advanced GUI software is used in Microsoft Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, GNOME shells, etc. GNOME shell is an application for desktops, which is used to launch interchange windows, and widget software is a modern GUI application. Androids, Apple iOS, Blackberry OS, Windows mobile, Palm OS, and Firefox OS for smartphones use the support of GUI application software.
Advantages of Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The main advantage of GUI is the increased number of average users due to the flexibility and suitable appearance of the application. GUI is always advantageous when compared to the normal command-line method.
Graphical User Interface provides an easier way to use the software tools by just making a drag and drop operation on each icon. The drag and drop method is used for transferring files and providing familiar icons related to the function of that icon, for example, giving an image of a waste bin as the graphical representation to provide a recycle bin folder. GUI provides a suitable environment to complete a technical process without any advanced knowledge about the computing machine or the programming language.
GUI is always self-descriptive, and the availability of visual icons helps to integrate the function behind the icons.
