Command line
Sometimes referred to as the command screen, the command line is 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:\> (as shown in the picture to the right) 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 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.
- Command line vs. GUI.
- Complete MS-DOS and Windows command line help and command listing.
- Unix / Linux help and command listing.
Also see: Argument, CUI, MS-DOS, Operating system definitions