GUI and Command-line-Conflict or Synergy?

Abstract

Interfaces rely on mutual understanding. Graphical interfaces tend to aid understanding and be easier to pick up again after a break. They are good for direct interaction without exact specification. Command-line interfaces are for specialists with deep understanding and offer powerful, flexible structures. They make it easy to store and repeat precise sequences. Ideally, we would like to have both forms of interface. To make progress we will have to understand better what statisticians and data analysts need and what the strengths (and weaknesses) of the two approaches are.