Command-Line Interface
A Command-Line Interface is an instruction surface and application user-computer interface that enables text-based interaction through command strings and terminal environments.
- AKA: CLI, Command Line, Terminal Interface, Console Interface, Command Prompt Interface, Text-Based Interface, Shell Interface.
- Context:
- It can typically execute System Command Tasks through command interpreters.
- It can typically support Script Automation Tasks via shell scripting languages.
- It can typically provide Command History Mechanisms through history buffers.
- It can often enable Command Auto-Completion Features via tab completion.
- It can often facilitate Pipeline Operations through pipe operators.
- It can often implement Environment Variable Management via shell variables.
- It can range from being a Simple Command-Line Interface to being a Complex Command-Line Interface, depending on its feature set.
- It can range from being a Interactive Command-Line Interface to being a Batch Command-Line Interface, depending on its execution mode.
- It can range from being a Local Command-Line Interface to being a Remote Command-Line Interface, depending on its access method.
- It can range from being a Single-User Command-Line Interface to being a Multi-User Command-Line Interface, depending on its user support.
- It can range from being a System Command-Line Interface to being an Application Command-Line Interface, depending on its scope level.
- It can integrate with Shell Scripting Systems for automation tasks.
- It can integrate with Terminal Emulators for display management.
- ...
- Examples:
- Operating System Shells, such as:
- Unix Shells, such as:
- Windows Shells, such as:
- Application CLIs, such as:
- Version Control CLIs, such as:
- Cloud Provider CLIs, such as:
- Container Management CLIs, such as:
- Package Manager CLIs, such as:
- Programming Language REPLs, such as:
- Interpreted Language REPLs, such as:
- Compiled Language REPLs, such as:
- Database CLIs, such as:
- SQL Database CLIs, such as:
- psql CLI for PostgreSQL database.
- mysql CLI for MySQL database.
- sqlplus CLI for Oracle database.
- sqlite3 CLI for SQLite database.
- NoSQL Database CLIs, such as:
- SQL Database CLIs, such as:
- Development Tool CLIs, such as:
- Build Tool CLIs, such as:
- Testing Tool CLIs, such as:
- jest CLI for JavaScript testing.
- pytest CLI for Python testing.
- mocha CLI for Node.js testing.
- Network Tool CLIs, such as:
- Network Diagnostic CLIs, such as:
- Remote Access CLIs, such as:
- System Administration CLIs, such as:
- Process Management CLIs, such as:
- File Management CLIs, such as:
- ls CLI for directory listing.
- find CLI for file search.
- grep CLI for pattern matching.
- ...
- Operating System Shells, such as:
- Counter-Examples:
- Graphical User Interface, which uses visual elements.
- Voice Interface, which uses speech recognition.
- Touch Interface, which uses gesture input.
- See: Instruction Surface, Application User-Computer Interface, Shell Program, Terminal Emulator, Command Interpreter, Shell Scripting Language, Text-Based User Interface, REPL System, Command Syntax, Unix Philosophy, Automation Tool.
References
2014
- (Wikipedia, 2014) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command-line_interface Retrieved:2014-5-12.
- A command-line interface (CLI), also known as command-line user interface, console user interface, and character user interface (CUI), is a means of interacting with a computer program where the user (or client) issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines).
The CLI was the primary means of interaction with most computer systems until the introduction of the video display terminal in the mid-1960s, and continued to be used throughout the 1970s and 1980s on Unix systems and personal computer systems including MS-DOS, CP/M and Apple DOS. The interface is usually implemented with a command line shell, which is a program that accepts commands as text input and converts commands to appropriate operating system functions.
Command-line interfaces to computer operating systems are less widely used by casual computer users, who favor graphical user interfaces. Command-line interfaces are often preferred by more advanced computer users, as they often provide a more concise and powerful means to control a program or operating system.
Programs with command-line interfaces are generally easier to automate via scripting.
Alternatives to the command line include, but are not limited to text user interface menus (see IBM AIX SMIT for example), keyboard shortcuts, and various other desktop metaphors centered on the pointer (usually controlled with a mouse).
- A command-line interface (CLI), also known as command-line user interface, console user interface, and character user interface (CUI), is a means of interacting with a computer program where the user (or client) issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines).