Command Language Interface Research Articles

Free MEDLINE access worldwide.

When Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D. was sworn in as Director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in 1984, MEDLINE, NLM’s online database of citations and abstracts to biomedical journal articles, was searched primarily by librarians trained to use its command language interface. There were fees for searching, primarily to recover the cost of using commercial value-added telecommunications networks. Thirteen years later, in 1997, MEDLINE became free to anyone with an Internet connection and a Web browser. This chapter provides an insider’s view of how Dr. Lindberg’s vision and leadership - combined with new technology, astute handling of policy issues, and key help from political supporters and influential advocates - enabled a tremendous expansion in access to biomedical and health information for scientists, health professionals, patients, and the public.

Free MEDLINE Access Worldwide.

When Donald A.B. Lindberg M.D. was sworn in as Director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in 1984, MEDLINE, NLM's online database of citations and abstracts to biomedical journal articles, was searched primarily by librarians trained to use its command language interface. There were fees for searching, primarily to recover the cost of using commercial value-added telecommunications networks. Thirteen years later, in 1997, MEDLINE became free to anyone with an Internet connection and a Web browser. This chapter provides an insider's view of how Dr. Lindberg's vision and leadership - combined with new technology, astute handling of policy issues, and key help from political supporters and influential advocates - enabled a tremendous expansion in access to biomedical and health information for scientists, health professionals, patients, and the public.

The Relationship between Computer Information System Interface Type and User Performance

The purpose of this study was to provide information about the relationships between computer information system interface types in determining user performance, user perceived ease of system use, and user perceived ease of system understanding. The type of computer information system interface was the primary independent variable with two levels: a command-language interface and a graphic-user interface. The dependent variables were user performance, user perceived ease of system use, and user perceived ease of system understanding. Experimental research was conducted to examine the relationships between the variables.Participants in the study included students enrolled in Northern Illinois University's Master of Business Administration program. A pre-test was administered to measure subjects' previous computer information system experience. Subjects were assigned to one of two interface-type systems in the experiment based upon this previous experience. Subjects were administered a post-test to measure their perceived ease of system use, and ease of system understanding.

Comparison of command language and direct manipulation interfaces for CNC milling machines

Abstract This paper reports a human factors study comparing the usability of command language and direct manipulation interfaces for computer numerically-controlled (CNC) milling machines. The operator-machine interfaces were assessed in terms of task completion time, operator retention of training knowledge, and subjective preference judgements. Four factors were manipulated in the study: (1) work session (two sessions separated by a one week interval); (2) level of operator expertise (novices and experts); (3) programming task (copy and modify); and (4) trial number. The one week interval between work sessions degraded task completion time for the command language interface, but not for the direct manipulation interface. Moreover, operators knowledge of CNC programming was retained better with the direct manipulation interface as compared to the command language interface. Additionally operators' subjective ratings indicated a strong preference for the direct manipulation interface rather than the command language interface across several categories of usability attributes.

USABILITY ISSUES RELATED TO MAPPING A COMMAND LANGUAGE ONTO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE PANELS

An increasing number of software applications provide both a command language interface and a panel interface. An important aspect of converting an existing command language interface to a panel interface is that of decomposing the command language so that it maps gracefully and intuitively onto the panels. In this poster session, the authors discussed the many design considerations addressed as the panel interface evolved from an early prototype to a coded product.

A Data Acquisition Command Interface Using VAX/VMS DCL

The user interface to a data acquisition system is being developed at the Los Alamos Weapons Neutron Research Facility using the VAX/VMS command language interface DCL. Commands are being implemented which provide for system initialization and control functions and FASTBUS diagnostics. The data acquisition system incorporates the concept of a data acquisition "state" (running, halted, etc.) where a certain subset of input commands is allowed.