Console vs. GUI?

[Justice M]

Hi.

I was reading some threads here and noticed terms like "console" and "gui" when referring to software applications for Linux.

What are the differences between the two and what do they mean? Perhaps you can explain it in a Windows-like terminology for me?

Sorry if I am a n00b.
I'm trying to learn as much about Linux as I can.

[v0id]

Console applications are applications using the terminal* for user-interface. It's commonly done by simple text-menus or through argument passing (an example could be curl.) Others are more advanced and use libraries for text-based user-interface, like ncurses, which also has support for colors (an example could be cmus.)

GUI applications are using windows for the user-interface. Instead of using argument passing or text-menus you can use buttons, scrollbars, and so on (an example could be gimp.) GUI means Graphical User Interface.


(* a terminal is somewhat like Windows' commandprompt)

[Justice M]

So all Linux operating systems can run BOTH types of applications correct? Is one more efficient for the other and vice-versa?

Thanks for your answers and your help.

[TotalPenguin]

Well even windows is capable or funning CLI (Command Line Interface ie. Console)and GUI applications.

[Jordan]

Console is like command prompt in Windows, however, since Windows 2000 the underlying "dos" OS was removed. The command prompt is just an emulator while in Linux the Terminal gives you access to the actual OS (X Windows being an application that runs on top of that layer).

I prefer running applications and commands in the console. I find these applications to be more efficient, faster and can be used remotely (IE: if you are using SSH to control your server). Some people prefer GUI applications (graphical applications) though because of their ease of use.

[Justice M]

Ah thank you for the answers guys.
I think that running console applications would be quite difficult unless the application is basic, like MySQL I guess right? (I think that is one at least as I know you can run it via SSH..)

I wouldn't want to run GIMP in console-mode though.

[v0id]

You cannot run GIMP in the terminal. You can not decide what applications you want to use as GUI and CLI. It's the makers of the applications who decide.

[Justice M]

Originally Posted by v0id

You cannot run GIMP in the terminal. You can not decide what applications you want to use as GUI and CLI. It's the makers of the applications who decide.

Oh, okay I understand now.
All Linux operating systems support BOTH types of applications though, correct?

[TotalPenguin]

You are 100% correct