Software interface article about software interface by. A point of interaction between different components. An interface control document icd describes the interworking of two elements of a system that share a common interface. Many of them have some basic similarities, although each one is unique in key ways. Interface may refer to a hardware interface, a software interface, or sometimes it can refer to the interaction between the user and the computer via an input device such as the keyboard. In general, an interface is used to describe a set of related functionalities that can be implemented. A software interface allow you to access certain functionality in a system or a library without caring to the way it is implemented on the system or library side while also ensuring that if someone updates the system or the library the interface w. Interface management includes the activities of defining, controlling, and communicating the information needed to enable unrelated objects including systems, services, equipment, software, and data to cofunction.
Graphical user interface definition of graphical user. An application program interface api is code that allows two software programs to communicate with each other. Therefore, for an interface i, we have to describe at least. The term interface can refer to either a hardware connection or a user interface. We will look not only at the hardware but also at the software support and multimedia interface in great. Think of an interface as a facetoface, a place where things, or people, or people and things like you and your computer meet. Graphical user interface definition, a software interface designed to standardize and simplify the use of computer programs, as by using a mouse to manipulate text and images on a display screen featuring icons, windows, and menus. User can manipulate and control the software as well as hardware by means of user interface. A switching function provides both connectivity and required textbased interfaces to area law enforcement databases. Idf also stands for intermediate distribution frame.
Interfaces what is a user interface software engineering. Softwareschnittstelle software interface schnittstellen. Application programming interface api is the acronym for application programming interface, which is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. It is also the way through which a user interacts with an application or a website. In computing the term interface can have various meanings, but all relate to the interaction between one object and another. The pad incorporates eight inputs and eight configurable inputoutputs, which are designed for connection to conventionallywired actuators and sensors and use the abb wisacom wireless interface to sensors and actuators software interface to provide communication between the wiop100 and the machinery control system. In university we learned of a couple succinct definitions for what an interface is that i really like. A connection that integrates two components is called interface. Software interface definition of software interface by the free. The physical and logical arrangement supporting the attachment of. Interface definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The interface between two subjects or systems is the area in which they affect each other. A graphical user interface gui provides its user a more or less pictureoriented way to interact with. Software interface definition of software interface by the.
The following interface would be placed in a vehicle. An application program interface api is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A laptop with recording software and a usb interface can serve as a totally portable recording studio. Computer dictionary definition for what interface means including related links. An application programming interface, or api, is a set of programming code that queries data, parses responses, and sends instructions between one software platform and another. A graphical user interface gui is specifically for software. When referring to software, an interface is a program that allows a user to. The exchange can be between software, computer hardware, peripheral. Software interface synonyms, software interface pronunciation, software interface translation, english dictionary definition of software interface. 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. It can also be used as a verb, describing how two devices connect to each other. Its the visual part of a computer application, software or an operating system through which a human being interacts with the system or software.
The idl specifies only the syntax used to define the data types and interfaces. This interface is implemented by several java classes. Microsoft includes the midl compiler with the platform software development kit sdk to enable developers to create the interface definition language idl files and application configuration files acf required for remote procedure call. A point at which independent systems or diverse groups. This interaction involves the how the user can interact with the application. A user interface, consisting of the set of dials, knobs, operating system commands, graphical display formats, and other devices provided by a computer or a. Apiapplication programming interface a language and message format used by an application program to communicate with the operating system or some. Interface definition is the place at which independent and often unrelated systems meet and act on or communicate with each other. So they gave some vague definitions of the system interfaces section. A database management system dbms interface is a user interface which allows for the ability to input queries to a database without using the query language itself.
An application programming interface api is a computing interface to a software component or a system, that defines how other components or systems can use it. A good api makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the. This interface in a computer world could be anything like apis, web services, etc. Interface definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Software interface article about software interface by the. Idls describe an interface in a languageindependent way, enabling communication between software components that do not share one language, for example, between. User interface is the frontend application view to which user interacts in order to use the software. Software interfaces programming interfaces are the languages, codes and messages that programs use to communicate with each other and to the hardware. Interface definition of interface by merriamwebster. It contains a collection of semantically similar properties and methods that can be implemented by a class or a struct that adheres to the contract. An application programming interface api is a tool set that programmers can use in helping them create software. An interface is a shared boundary across which information is passed.
Here is an example of the vehicle interface referred to above only a partial definition. About the interface definition language specification. Many different kinds of user interfaces come with various devices and software programs. Interfaces are used to work with several classes and share. While userfriendly is a subjective term, the following are several common attributes found in userfriendly interfaces.
When referring to software, an interface is a program that allows a user to interact computers in person or over a network. We pattern our definition for the term interface after the object composition model for reference model of open distributed processing rmodp. With the customizable lifttrakstm webbased software interface, managers can use the networks grouping capability to view an entire fleet or specific units based on their specific settings. In information technology, the user interface ui is everything designed into an information device with which a person may interact. Each time you use an app like facebook, send an instant message, or check the weather on your phone, youre using an api. Definition interface erklarung interface softselect. Hardware terms, hci, parallel interface, port, software terms, ui. Computer desktop encyclopedia this definition is for. Software interface definition of software interface by. It defines the kinds of calls or requests that can be made, how to make them, the data formats that should be used, the conventions to follow, etc. It includes the design of the plug and socket, the type, number and purpose of the wires and the electrical signals that are passed.
Microsoft interface definition language win32 apps. For an interface to function reliability each party to the interface must know everything about the the intentions and motivations of the other side. In computing, an interface is a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a computer system exchange information. A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions, bodies, substances, or phases. When we refer to a ui in software design, digital design, web design or ux design, we usually mean a graphical user interface. User interface refers to space where the interaction between the device and the human being takes place. An interface can be thought of as a contract between the system and the environment. Software interface dictionary definition software interface. Interfaces the most important software engineering concept 20160201 by robert elder. Most new systems or services require external interfaces with other systems or services. To connect with or interact with by means of an interface.
The systems can differ considerably in the software, not least in the user interface some are easy to. This should list each system interface and identify the functionality of the software to accomplish the system requirement and the interface description to match the system. How to use application programming interface in a sentence. A good api makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks. Interfaces apply to hardware, software and human interaction. Application programming interface definition is a set of rules that allows programmers to develop software for a particular operating system without having to be completely familiar with that operating system abbreviation api. It is friendly to the user, meaning it is not difficult to learn or understand. The notion of software interface was introduced in definition 4. Userfriendly describes a hardware device or software interface that is easy to use.
A software interface is used to allow either two pieces of software to communicate with each other softwaresoftware interface, or to allow software to. A user interface, consisting of the set of dials, knobs, operating system commands, graphical display formats, and other devices provided by a computer or a program to allow the user to communicate and use the computer or program. Today, user interface is found at almost every place where digital technology exists, right from computers, mobile phones, cars, music players. A software interface is a bridge that allows two programs to share information with each other, even though they may have been developed by different sources or use different programming languages. Interface definition language this document specifies the omg interface definition language idl. Computer desktop encyclopedia this definition is for personal use only all other reproduction is strictly prohibited. The microsoft interface definition language midl defines interfaces between client and server programs. Idl is a descriptive language used to define data types and interfaces in a way that is independent of the programming language or operating systemprocessor platform. Interface definition of interface by the free dictionary. This can include display screens, keyboards, a mouse and the appearance of a desktop. For example, ide is a disk drive interface for computer hard drives and atapi is an interface for cdrom drives. Some computer hardware devices, such as a touchscreen, can both send and receive data through the.
Graphical user interface gui, a computer program that enables a person to communicate with a computer through the use of symbols, visual metaphors, and pointing devices. Interface control document what is a user interface. Software interface an overview sciencedirect topics. Swagger open source and pro tools have helped millions of api developers, teams, and organizations deliver great apis. Sep 29, 2016 interfaces the most important software engineering concept 20160201 by robert elder. The definition of interface is a surface that forms a common boundary between two things or a point of interaction between two components or systems. The exchange can be between software, computer hardware, peripheral devices, humans, and combinations of these. All open source tools capabilities, no download required. An interface may also refer to controls used in a program that allow the user to interact with the program. Definition of a software component and its elements. About the interface definition language specification version 4. An architecture used to interconnect two devices together. Noun the interface between engineering and science the software has a user interface thats easy to operate.
When referring to hardware, an interface is a physical device, port, or connection that interacts with the computer or other hardware device. What is the difference between hardware interface and. Additionally, apis are used when programming graphical user interface components. This document specifies the omg interface definition language idl. Apr 04, 2020 the data is sent over the air interface to the remote system.
Interface definition, a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases. A programming interface, consisting of the set of statements, functions, options, and other ways of expressing program instructions and data provided by a program or language for a programmer to use. Any common boundary or area of convergence can be an interface. Basically, an api specifies how software components should interact. Additionally, apis are used when programming graphical user interface gui components. Interface testing is defined as a software testing type which verifies whether the communication between two different software systems is done correctly. It utilises generated ui elements such as text, links, buttons and images to construct a design system that form the user experience. Nov 11, 2016 user interface ui is a broad term for any system, either physical or software based, that allows a user to connect with a given technology. Interfaces are placed in their own files which have the same name as the interface are capitalized and end with the familiar language extension e. A dbms interface could be a web client, a local client that runs on a desktop computer, or even a mobile app. An interface will often use a standard file format such as xml to move information from one system to another. Interfaces the most important software engineering concept blog. For example, a communications interface is described in terms of data items and messages passed, protocols observed and timing and sequencing of events. An interface description language or interface definition language idl, is a specification language used to describe a software components application programming interface api.
1219 555 417 1179 98 977 967 735 805 693 1136 754 49 1555 1140 868 1343 1490 396 446 711 704 284 981 515 1294 541 506 1139 78 262 423