Text-based User Interface (TUI)

Text-based User Interface (TUI) was coined after the Graphical User Interface (GUI) came and virtually became the standard over Command Line Interface (CLI). The major similarity between Command Line Interface (CLI) and Text-based User Interface (TUI) is that, both uses some Terminal Emulator Application. The major distinction between Command Line Interface (CLI) and Text-based User Interface (TUI) is the Syntax Highlighter independent colored Interface in TUI. Practically, the application which provide a Text-based User Interface (TUI) is not separated from an application which provide a Command Line Interface (CLI).

 

Text-based User Interface (TUI) : Basics

 

Text-based User Interface (TUI) is a coined terminology. Console Application actually rightly encompass the both. A genuine text mode display, should be controlled by a video adapter. In other words, a true Command Line Interface (CLI) Application will not be fully dependent on mouse or arrow keys and will have less to no dependency on Video Card.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard ANSI X3.64 defines a standard that can be used to drive terminals to create TUIs. Possibly the most commonly known application that has a TUI is Basic Input Output System (BIOS). Modern embedded systems are capable of displaying TUI on a monitor like personal computers. This functionality is usually implemented using specialized integrated circuits, modules.

 

Text-based User Interface (TUI) : Example Applications

 

These guides give examples of applications which uses TUI :

1. Command Line MP3 players for OS X : Herrie is providing a Text-based User Interface (TUI)
2. SoundCloud From Command Line Interface
3. Links CLI Based Browser With Graphics for OS X Video Guide
4. YaST provides a Text-based User Interface (TUI) over SSH
5. Borland Turbo Pascal
6. aptitude is a TUI frontend for the Advanced Packaging Tool under Debian
7. Alpine is an e-mail client which uses TUI

 

Practically, the phrase Text-based User Interface (TUI) is not used instead CLI Application or Command Line Tool is used to denote these application, which is technically incorrect. On the other hand, Google Search Command Line Interface, WordPress Command Line Tool,  Facebook Command Line are examples of applications which uses pure CLI.

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