interface

Noun
Synonyms: user interfaceport

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. (chemistry) a surface forming a common boundary between two things (two objects or liquids or chemical phases)
  2. (computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the systemSynonyms: user interface
  3. the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other“the interface between chemistry and biology”
  4. (computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)Synonyms: port
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

interface \interface\ n.

1.a surface forming a common boundary between two things, especially between two fluids. [WordNet sense 1] [WordNet 1.5]

2.(Computers) hardware that links one device with another (especially a computer). [WordNet sense 2] [WordNet 1.5]

3.(Computers) That part of a computer program which controls the way a program interacts with a user; the manner of inputting and outputting of data, and the way information is presented on a computer monitor; also called user interface; as, a graphical user interface; a character-based interface. [PJC]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

interface

<jargon> A boundary across which two systems communicate. An interface might be a hardware connector used to link to other devices, or it might be a convention used to allow communication between two software systems. Often there is some intermediate component between the two systems which connects their interfaces together. For example, two EIA-232 interfaces connected via a serial cable.

See also graphical user interface, Application Program Interface.

(1996-05-22)

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