Comments on: The GUI v. CLI Debate

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:31:18 +0000

I know this post is rather old, but I just had to add a couple of things.

First, on reading a previous post of yours on a similar theme (that one doesn’t have to be better, since we have both), I thought of the hammer vs. screwdriver analogy. When I saw the same at the end of your post here, I just had to mention that.

Second, something that is often overlooked is that GUIs are inherently more resource-intensive than CLIs. This often doesn’t matter, but in some situations (and with some GUIs) the difference is appreciable. As an example, if I know the package I want to install, it’s a lot easier to do so in a terminal rather than the Software Center. I’m not sure if this is because I’m using a 3-year-old netbook, or because SC is a tad bloated, but either way, using the terminal alleviates the issue.

That said, I do agree with the sentiment that neither has to be better. Sometimes one is more suitable than the other, but in many cases, it’s nothing more than a matter of personal preference.

By: Orcris

Orcris — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:40:02 +0000

I completely agree with this. Sure, the CLI is more powerful, but most Windows and Mac users switching to Linux have never even touched Command Prompt or Terminal (respectively). I use Windows regularly, evne though I love Linux much more, and when I’m using my computer running Kubuntu, I’ll use the terminal all the time, but when I’m using Windows 7, I don’t think I’ve ever even touched the Command Prompt more than typing ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew when there was a problem with my home network. The CLI just isn’t useful in those two OS’s. Linux users need to slowly transition into the CLI, not be thrown into it and expected to understand it.

By: binu thomas

binu thomas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:58:44 +0000

Yes. CLI gives more opportunity to customize/program for advanced users but GUI is more close to the philosophy of Ubuntu: Linux for Human Beings!!!

By: Lexington

Lexington — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:54:48 +0000

I often use the CLI for installing/removing softwar, simply because it’s quicker. I’m a very new linux user (been using ubuntu for about 3 months now) and I’m definitely not scared of the command line, but there are some things i wish i could do with a GUI, like compiling. I don’t think I’ve ever successfully compiled a program, but I’m sure myself and most new users would be less intimidated by linux if they could compile software with a GUI, even a compiler that checks for dependencies and installs them automatically.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:44:26 +0000

I find it a major problem when reading an how-to or when advice is given in a forum etc using a graphical method, as they tend to be specific to the major desktop environments (usually gnome when dealing with ubuntu) and are therefore not easily transferable to another environment. For instance I often use customised installations using openbox or xfce with non-standard apps

As a new linux user I prefer to read up and research a topic before asking for advice and the graphical method is more often an hindrance than not.

Give advice or write-ups using both.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:30:29 +0000

On psychocats you told us to post here, so…

Where do you host your site?

By: FreeBeer

FreeBeer — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:31:10 +0000

I don’t even know why there would be a debate about this. Each approach has their strength and weaknesses. Depending on what you want or need to do, you’re free to select the tool most suitable for the job.

Sometimes I like to interact visually, so a GUI is my choice. Sometimes I need the CLI.

I was initially attracted to Linux exactly because the command line promised to empower me more over my machine and its data. I wasn’t disappointed.

By: Nonny

Nonny — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:10:29 +0000

I usually use the form of the question to determine the method.

If they ask: How do I do x?
They get a GUI response.

If they ask: How do I fix x?
They get a CLI response.

By: MK

MK — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:45:01 +0000

I think most of those offering help in CLI, when GUI is available, are just lazy. Once you know the command to use, looking up and verifying the GUI instructions is awkward. There is usually no consideration given to the daunting effect CLI has on new users.

By: Mesanna

Mesanna — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:31:50 +0000

I think the CLI is very useful for common problems where the answer can be copied straight from a tutorial into the terminal. I tend to think that anyone who has taken the trouble to install Linux and is trying to troubleshoot their problems would not have any issue with copying and pasting a few lines of code. However your point about using the GUI for a task that will be repeated is a good one. I have in the past blindly copied text into the terminal without any real understanding of what I was doing – only knowing that this would fix my problem. Sometimes going through the steps visually helps people grasp the concepts more easily.

I must admit I tend to use Synaptic most often to install software, as I can never remember exact package names (e.g. is it virtualbox or virtual-box?). Synaptic is actually quicker here (for me).