The connection and interaction between hardware, software and the user. Users "talk to" the software. The software "talks to" the hardware and other software. Hardware "talks to" other hardware. All this is interfacing. It has to be designed, developed, tested and redesigned; and with each incarnation, a new specification is born that may become yet one more de facto or regulated standard.
Hardware Interfaces
Hardware interfaces are the plugs, sockets, cables and electrical signals traveling through them. Examples are USB, FireWire, Ethernet, ATA/IDE, SCSI and PCI.
Software/Programming Interfaces
Software interfaces (programming interfaces) are the languages, codes and messages that programs use to communicate with each other and to the hardware. Examples are the Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems, SMTP e-mail, IP network protocols and the software drivers that activate the peripheral devices.
User Interfaces
User interfaces are the keyboards, mice, commands and menus used for communication between you and the computer. Examples are the command lines in DOS and Unix, and the graphical interfaces in Windows, Mac and Linux.
Format & Function
Every interface implies a structure. Electrical signals are made up of voltage levels, frequencies and duration. The data passed from one device or program to another has a precise format (header, body, trailer, etc.).
Every interface implies a function. At the hardware level, electronic signals activate functions; data are read, written, transmitted, received, checked for error, etc. At the software level, instructions activate the hardware (access methods, data link protocols, etc.). At higher levels, the data transferred or transmitted may itself request functions to be performed (client/server, program to program, etc.).
Language & Programming
An interface is activated by programming language commands. The complexity of the functions and the design of the language determine how difficult it is to program.
User Interface, Protocol, API and ABI
The design of the interaction between the user and the computer is called a "user interface." The rules, formats and functions between components in a communications system or network are called "protocols." The language and message formats between routines within a program or between software components is called an "application programming interface" (API). The specification for an operating system working in a specific machine environment has been known as an "application binary interface" (ABI), but this term is not widely used.
All the above interactions are interfaces. Regardless of what they are called, they all create rules that must be precisely followed in a digital world.
A Whole Lot of Talking To
No matter what they're called, interfaces boil down to a format and language that defines the services one system is capable of delivering to another.
Hardware Interfaces
Hardware interfaces are the plugs, sockets, cables and electrical signals traveling through them. Examples are USB, FireWire, Ethernet, ATA/IDE, SCSI and PCI.
Software/Programming Interfaces
Software interfaces (programming interfaces) are the languages, codes and messages that programs use to communicate with each other and to the hardware. Examples are the Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems, SMTP e-mail, IP network protocols and the software drivers that activate the peripheral devices.
User Interfaces
User interfaces are the keyboards, mice, commands and menus used for communication between you and the computer. Examples are the command lines in DOS and Unix, and the graphical interfaces in Windows, Mac and Linux.
Format & Function
Every interface implies a structure. Electrical signals are made up of voltage levels, frequencies and duration. The data passed from one device or program to another has a precise format (header, body, trailer, etc.).
Every interface implies a function. At the hardware level, electronic signals activate functions; data are read, written, transmitted, received, checked for error, etc. At the software level, instructions activate the hardware (access methods, data link protocols, etc.). At higher levels, the data transferred or transmitted may itself request functions to be performed (client/server, program to program, etc.).
Language & Programming
An interface is activated by programming language commands. The complexity of the functions and the design of the language determine how difficult it is to program.
User Interface, Protocol, API and ABI
The design of the interaction between the user and the computer is called a "user interface." The rules, formats and functions between components in a communications system or network are called "protocols." The language and message formats between routines within a program or between software components is called an "application programming interface" (API). The specification for an operating system working in a specific machine environment has been known as an "application binary interface" (ABI), but this term is not widely used.
All the above interactions are interfaces. Regardless of what they are called, they all create rules that must be precisely followed in a digital world.
A Whole Lot of Talking To
No matter what they're called, interfaces boil down to a format and language that defines the services one system is capable of delivering to another.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- New Android Market is YouTube for mobile applications
- Google released early details yesterday about their plans for Android Market, an online bazaar for programs that run on Android phones. Essentially an Android version of the iPhone's popular App Store, it offers three key advantages over Apple's offering: It will follow the YouTube model of instant...
- Blog posts 2008-08-29
- Microsoft to ship new Windows XP beta
- Microsoft to ship new Windows XP betaXP is terrible!This is crap. XP is a memory hog. Now I need to upgrade my desktop to 256 megs of RAM! No compatible drivers for my Diamond Speedstar VESA video card! Why should I need to upgrade my computer for a fancy new...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- Resurrecting E-voting
- Resurrecting E-votingDifficulty of subverting voting machinesIt seems to me that any system can be tampered with to render the vote dishonest. However, some configurations make such tampering very hard while others are much easier to subvert. You should talk about the relative difficulty and not whether or not...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- Loginany Professional Edition (exe)
- Step over LAN firewall to realize remote computer connecting with penetrating multilayer network professional user operation interface and a plenty of software function. Remote desktop control remote PC like beside of you, service agent will provide you weak broadband supplementary and acceleration function. This version is the first release on...
- Software downloads 2008-08-28
- Internet Explorer 8 beta 2
- With the public release of its second beta, Microsoft said it intends for the Internet Explorer 8 browser to be more customer-oriented than previous versions of its browser. Our initial impression of Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 is positive: we think Microsoft has not only caught up with Opera, Safari,...
- Product reviews 2008-08-27
- Internet Explorer 8 gets a massive makeover
- Internet Explorer 8 gets a massive makeoverStandardsWhat I want to know, does the "standards" mode remove previous IE hacks? For example, using the underscore in CSS statements would be ignored by every browser except IE. If IE8 now supports standards but STILL reads the underscore hack, this could be a...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- "Why do you hate Vista so much?"
- "Why do you hate Vista so much?"Reasons that Vista bothers me...1) I have now spent over 4 hours trying to get SP1 installed on a new box.... the BSOD's are blurry (kind of funny huh?) The same box, XP installed with less heart ache and fewer issues... while I am...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- Dancing on E-voting's grave
- Dancing on E-voting's graveAgreed - but consider the slippery slopeBecause once you recognized the problem in kind, you ended up arguing (accurately, I think) about degree.Why client-server can't workBecause the expert has to say "yes" to the question in court - no matter how difficult or impractical it may actually...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- Bubba
- Arguably the most infamous product to ever come out of Redmond was Microsoft Bob. Bob was Microsoft's attempt to create an easier to use interface for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. It was the Edsel of software. Here's a parody of Bob called Bubba. Bubba takes a...
- Download resources 2008-08-27
- BurnAware Free (exe)
- BurnAware is the ultimate disc burning software. BurnAware Free is ideal for users with basic disc burning needs as backup, creating data, audio, video discs and burning disc images. Free, easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to save your files to disc quickly, provides more flexible interface...
- Software downloads 2008-08-27
- SilverFast Ai Epson Scan-Software (Mac) (txt)
- SilverFast Ai for Epson award-winning scanner software sets a new standard for ease of control and sophistication for desktop scanners film and flatbed. SilverFast Ai is high-end scanning and image optimization software from LaserSoft Imaging, a pioneer in desktop high-end imaging. SilverFast is now available for more than 315...
- Software downloads 2008-08-27
- SilverFast Ai Epson (Win) (exe)
- SilverFast Ai combines a very intuitive user interface with sophisticated and professional scanner and image controls. Beginners and professionals will appreciate the unique real-time controls and the intelligent automatic functions as well as the ability to manually adjust the image at any point. Predictable color from the SilverFast Ai...
- Software downloads 2008-08-27
- Reg Explore (exe)
- Reg Explore is a tool for searching win32 registry. It gives you explorer interface of conventional RegEdit tool but shows you search results in bulk. With Reg Explore you can easily search and clean your registry. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
- Software downloads 2008-08-27
- Sony Ericsson TM506 - amber (T-Mobile)
- The Sony Ericsson TM506 marks a couple of "firsts" for T-Mobile. Not only is it the first Sony Ericsson to land at T-Mobile in several years, but also it's the carrier's first 3G cell phone since it launched its 3G network in May. Though it doesn't offer a streaming media...
- Product reviews 2008-08-26
- Patent suit alert: This time, Google and Verizon on the hot seat
- Inventor Judah Klausner has settled with the best of them: AT&T, Apple, Comcast and eBay. Now, he's taking Google, Verizon, Cox and LG to court for infringing on his patents for visual voicemail technology. A Reuters story highlights some of his past legal battles, including a June...
- Blog posts 2008-08-26
- Microsoft, eat your own dog food
- Microsoft, eat your own dog foodReally?"Using hidden aspects of Windows to advantage Microsoft's own applications has been disallowed and behavioral remedies including disclosure demanded."I can't find these in the DOJ settlement, please help: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f9400/9495.htmWe can of course look to the EU which did demand documentation of a small subset of...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-26
- Amazon acquires book community Shelfari
- Amazon has added another tuck-in acquisition: Shelfari, an online community for book worms. Shelfari is likely to be integrated into Amazon's services and continue to exist as a separate destination. Amazon, which helped fund the social networking startup, now owns Shelfari and a stake in its primary...
- Blog posts 2008-08-26
- Cortado Basic Print (zip)
- E-mails, calendar entries, contacts, tasks, memos - Cortado Basic Print puts text entries saved on your BlackBerry on paper quickly and easily. You don't even need an internet connection to do so. The text is sent via Bluetooth directly to a local Bluetooth-capable printer. Via an additional "Print" option in...
- Software downloads 2008-08-26
- Pocket MPG (Windows Mobile) (exe)
- Find out your average MPG miles per gallon and PPM price per mile per name or condition. Easy to use interface uses pull-down selection and pop-ups for dates and name / condition. Compare your car's mileage in different situations and for different drivers or vehicles. List your entries by date...
- Software downloads 2008-08-26
- Classic FTP for Pocket PC (exe)
- Classic FTP is an easy-to-use FTP client that allows you to view, edit, upload, download and delete files from a remote server Web site or network. Classic FTP's easy-to-use interface makes locating and editing files on your Web site easy. You can also upload or download files with a single...
- Software downloads 2008-08-26
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- BNET Industries
- Check out BNET's newest resource for managers and executives. Need to do research on your competitors? Don't have time to read every trade pub? BNET Industries is the new source for daily news, insights, and research on 11 major industries and 9,000 public companies.
-
- The technology industry from a different angle
-
- See what's hot in the auto industry
-
- Stay on top of the energy industry
