An interface allows interaction between two machines or between a person and a device.
Interface is a term that comes from the English word interface . In computing , this notion serves to indicate the connection that occurs physically and at a utility level between devices or systems.
The interface, therefore, is a connection between two machines of any type, to which it provides support for communication at different strata. It is possible to understand the interface as a space (the place where interaction and exchange takes place), an instrument (as an extension of the human body, such as the mouse that allows interaction with a computer ) or surface (the object that provides information to through its texture, shape or color).
User interface
The means that allows a person to communicate with a machine is known as a user interface . The interface, in this case, is made up of the points of contact between a user and the equipment. In addition to the aforementioned mouse example, another such interface is the monitor screen or keyboard .
In interaction with the computer, therefore, a distinction can be made between the hardware interface (mouse, screen, keyboard), the software interface (Windows, Linux) and the hardware-software interface (the set that allows man understand the binary code and the machine can read the human instruction).
A mouse or mouse is part of the user interface.
The concept on the Internet
When we use the term interface within the Internet sector, the web world, we would have to say that it is used to refer to the entire set of elements that appear reflected on the screen and that allow the user to carry out various specific actions.
Specifically, the interface will be composed, in addition to action elements, of alternatives in terms of navigation, identification and, of course, content.
The web interface
Based precisely on the importance of the aforementioned interface in this case, web space designers and programmers must take great care of it. That is, they must take the utmost care to make it not only attractive but also simple and very functional.
Specifically, what they undertake is to follow a series of guidelines in this regard which would include, for example, that the page makes it very clear what it offers and what it is; that the content is easily visible and can be navigated with absolute ease; and that it has a very visual design.
All this without also overlooking that when establishing the interface of any website it is essential that it offers the user the possibility of finding everything they need. For this reason, in addition to being very functional and simple, it must have a search system to make this task easier if still possible. All of these objectives require that the aforementioned interface be composed of logos, a correct navigation system, interaction areas and content spaces.
The notion as a physical circuit
In electronics and telecommunications , the interface is a physical circuit that sends or receives signals from one system to another .
The Universal Serial Bus ( USB ) is an interface that allows, through its port, to connect all types of peripherals to a computer, to mention one case.