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Command line

A user interface that is navigated by typing commands at prompts, as opposed to using the mouse to perform a command. For example, the root MS-DOS command line prompt is generally C:\> and in Unix or Linux may be % or >. Unlike a GUI operating system, a command line only uses a keyboard to navigate by entering commands and does not utilize a mouse.

Because a command line interface requires unique commands, this type of interface is often more difficult to learn because of the need to memorize dozens of different commands. However, a command line operating system can be a very valuable resource and should not be ignored. For example, users who have Microsoft Windows may find trivial tasks such as renaming 100+ files in a folder a very difficult task; however, this is something that can be done in a matter of seconds through a simple command at the command line.

  • Additional help and information about MS-DOS can be found on our MS-DOS page.
  • Additional help and information about Unix and Linux can be found on our Unix / Linux page.
  • A comparison between a command line interface and a graphical user interface can be found on document CH000619.

Also see: CUI, Operating system definitions

 

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