The effect of task complexity on user interfaces: a comparison of command language interface and direct manipulation interfaces.
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Authors
Reinhard, Nancy A.
Subjects
User-Interface
Human-Computer Interaction
Task Complexity
Direct Manipulation Interface
Command Language Interface
Human-Computer Interaction
Task Complexity
Direct Manipulation Interface
Command Language Interface
Advisors
Sengupta, Kishore
Date of Issue
1991-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
A computer-user interface is the software that communicates the user's
inputs to the computer and returns information from the computer back to the
user. A variety of user interfaces have been developed, including command
language interfaces, direct manipulation interfaces, and menus. This research
explored the relative benefits of command language interfaces (CLE) and direct
manipulation interfaces (DMI) for performance of simple and complex tasks by
novices. Two levels of task complexity were used, one requiring five inputs
(simple) and one requiring 24 inputs (complex). Dependent variables were (1) time
to complete each task set, (2) number of errors, and (3) number of references to online
help. Results indicate that learning to use a DMI takes longer than learning to
use a CLI. No significant difference was observed in time to complete the simple
task. However, once a novice learns to use a DMI, a complex task requires less
time, fewer errors are made, and references to help screens are required less often.
With complex tasks, direct manipulation interfaces appear to help novices to be
more productive than do command language interfaces.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Information Systems
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
128 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.