A graphical user interface has six key characteristics. These characteristics apply to Mac and other graphical user interfaces such as Windows 3.0 for IBM compatible microcomputers. A Consistent Format. First, the underlying philosophy, of a graphical user interface is to produce users with a consistent format for accessing and manipulating computer programs. A graphical user interface forces software developers to comply with very rigid standards regarding such program features as menu display, data entry dialogue boxes, and use of peripheral devices such as a mouse.
Graphics are for Real.
Second, a graphical user interface is, in fact, graphical. This approach is much more visual than DOS's command line interface, which requires users to type in commands from a keyboard. The Screen Can be Manipulated. Third, a graphical user interface allows direct manipulation of on-screen elements. The spreadsheet Excel, originally developed for the Macintosh, allows users to write formulas by selecting math functions from pull-down menus, rather than typing in function names from the keyboard.