User Interface (UI)
Abbreviated UI, the junction between a user and a computer program. An interface is a set of commands or menus through which a user communicates with a program. A command-driven interface is one in which you enter commands. A menu-driven interface is one in which you select command choices from various menus displayed on the screen.
The user interface is one of the most important parts of any program because it determines how easily you can make the program do what you want. A powerful program with a poorly designed user interface has little value. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that use windows, icons, and pop-up menus have become standard on personal computers.
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- user group
A group of individuals with common interests in some aspect of computers. Some user groups cover nearly everything with subgroups (called SIGs) for more specialized interests, while others concentrate on a particular area, such as computer graphics, or a particular application. Nearly every major city in the U.S. has many user groups that meet to […]
- user-friendly
Refers to anything that makes it easier for novices to use a computer. Menu-driven programs, for example, are considered more user-friendly than command-driven systems. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are also considered user-friendly. Online help systems are another feature of user-friendly programs. Although the term user-friendly represents an important concept, it has been so overused that […]
- user defined function
(ū´z&r di-fīnd´ funk´sh&n) (n.) A programmed routine that has its parameters set by the user of the system. User defined functions often are seen as programming shortcuts as they define functions that perform specific tasks within a larger system, such as a database or spreadsheet program.
- user-centered design (UCD)
User-centered design (UCD) is a design philosophy where the end-user’s needs, wants and limitations are a focus at all stages within the design process and development lifecycle. Products developed using the UCD methodology are optimized for end-users and emphasis is placed on how the end-users need or want to use a product instead of forcing […]
- user-agent client
Abbreviated as UAC, in VoIP, a client application in an SIP system that initiates the SIP request that is sent to the UAS. The combination of the UAC and the UAS is called the SIP user agent. The SIP user agent allows peer-to-peer calls to be made using a client-server protocol.