Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) make extensive use of windows and icons.
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) make extensive use of windows and graphical objects.
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) make extensive use of menus and graphical objects.
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) make extensive use of dialog elements.
Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) change shape of the onscreen pointer to represent different operations.
The operating system provides function calls that greatly simplify the usage of computer hardware and software resources by application software. These function calls are referred to as application program interfaces (APIs). This way application software does not have to worry about knowing complex technical details. The operating system handles this technicality through special programs referred to as device drivers. Device drivers act as translators between the operating system and the hardware electrical signals. Operating systems today mostly provide graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that simplify computer usage through the extensive utilization of graphics. GUIs employ windows, icons, pull-down menus, hyperlinks, toolbars, and more to make computer usage easier than ever.
