What Is a Command-Line Interface?

Key takeaways

• A command-line interface is a text-based way to interact with a computer by entering commands through your keyboard to access programs.

• The Linux command-line interface (CLI) uses Bourne Again Shell (Bash), while the Windows CLI uses Command shell and PowerShell.

• The uses of a command-line interface range from automating workflows and managing remote servers to integrating with APIs, cloud systems, and CI/CD pipelines.

The difference between a GUI and a CLI is that a GUI uses visual menus and interfaces, while a CLI uses text commands, offering greater speed, automation, remote access, and control. Read on to learn more about the command-line interface and the advantages of interacting directly with the command line.

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What is a command-line interface?

A command-line interface is a text-based way to communicate with your computer and access its programs. In a CLI, you type commands into a command prompt or terminal using a keyboard. You can use a CLI to automate repetitive tasks, rapidly navigate files, manage servers remotely, and quickly access system logs and debugging information for more efficient troubleshooting. A CLI also allows you to interact with application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud platforms, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and version control systems, which makes it an essential tool for system administration, software engineering, and cloud computing.

Typically, people who are not programmers interact with their computers through the graphical user interface, or GUI. The GUI is the element that allows you to move your cursor over your screen and click on different buttons or items in a menu to navigate your programs. A GUI is easier for people with a non-technical background to use. However, a command-line interface offers programmers and developers faster, more powerful control over the computer.

Windows, macOS, and Linux command-line interfaces

Every operating system has a command line. The three most popular operating systems and their command-line interfaces are:

• Windows: Command Prompt and PowerShell

• Linux: Bourne Again Shell (Bash)

• macOS: Terminal

Read more: Linux vs. Windows: What’s the Difference?

Differences in command-line interfaces

The command-line interface in each operating system has similar capabilities, but their syntax differs. For example, if you wanted to copy a file, you would use the command “copy” in Windows Command Prompt, but you would use the command “Cp” in Linux.

What’s the difference between a GUI and a CLI?

The average computer user can use a GUI to accomplish tasks with their machine, but a command-line interface gives programmers more tools to interact with their computer. To open a program using a GUI, you would likely move your cursor to a menu and navigate through a drop-down menu of options to find the desired program. In contrast, you only need a few keystrokes to accomplish the same task using a command-line interface.

A command-line interface also allows a programmer to access commands that are inaccessible through a GUI, such as accessing system-protected files, especially for remote or virtual environments. A command-line interface also helps save time by automating tasks using a batch program, a sequence of commands that will run automatically. Another benefit of the command-line interface is that it doesn’t require as many computing resources as a GUI.

When choosing between a GUI and CLI, consider your level of programming knowledge and project needs. If you’re just starting out, a GUI might be more helpful due to its ease of use and intuitive visual interface. If you’re a professional developer with complex needs like command chaining, automation, resource-constrained environments, and remote access, a CLI can provide a faster, more precise solution.

Related terms

• GUI

• Operating system

• Command prompt

• Bash

• Terminal

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