User Interfaces for Operating Systems

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to user interfaces for operating systems, including CLI, GUI, shells, and desktop environments.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A user interface for operating systems that involves typing commands.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface for operating systems that uses visual elements like icons and windows.

Text Based User Interface (TUI)

An interface that is similar to a command line interface, but uses keystrokes to subdue certain actions.

Shell

A program that communicates with the kernel of the operating system, taking typed commands from the user and executing them.

Born Shell

The original shell.

Born Again Shell (Bash)

The most common shell.

PowerShell

A command interface in Windows that uses a different syntax than bash.

Man

A command that gets you the technical documentation for any other commands that is available in the shell.

LS

Lists the content of a directory.

PWD

Shows your current location in the file system.

Desktop Environment

A suite of x clients and a window manager designed to provide an integrated desktop experience.

XServer

Controls the graphic cards and gets input from keyboards and mouse.

XClients

The applications that might be running on your graphical user interface

Window Manager

Manages all of the windows that are active on the desktop.

XWindow

A GUI system for POSIX.