CertiGuide to A+ (A+ 4 Real)  9  Chapter 1: What are Operating Systems and How Do They Work?       9  Operating System Features            9  CDI versus GUI Interface

CDI versus GUI Interface 1 DOS / Command Prompt CDI Interface

The command driven interface, sometimes also referred to as a “CLI” or “Command Line Interface” is operated via the keyboard alone. It can display ASCII text characters and accept them as valid input, but cannot handle graphics beyond rudimentary square blocks and simple lines (known as “textmode graphics”). Communication with the Operating System is performed by entering commands such as "copy" or "dir". The Operating System communicates back to you by displaying the results of your command, generally directly below the area of the screen in which you typed the command.

What CompTIA calls the CDI is usually referred to in the real world as a CLI. For the purposes of the A+ exam however, CompTIA requires you to call the non-GUI user interface a CDI.

CDI versus GUI Interface 1 DOS / Command Prompt CDI Interface