WIMP (computing)
Encyclopedia
In human–computer interaction
, WIMP stands for "window
s, icon
s, menu
s and pointers", denoting a style of interaction using these elements. It was coined by Merzouga Wilberts in 1980. Although its usage has fallen out of favor, it is often incorrectly used as an approximate synonym of "GUI
".
Any interface that utilizes graphics can be termed a "GUI
" and WIMP systems are a derivative of such systems. However, while all WIMP systems utilize graphics as a key element (namely the Icon and Pointer element) and therefore are all GUIs, not all GUIs are WIMPs.
For example, most mobile phones utilize icons (graphics represents and results in an action being performed) and some may have menus but very few include a pointer or run their utilities/programs in a window.
WIMP interaction was developed at Xerox PARC
(see Xerox Alto
, developed in 1973) and popularized with Apple
's introduction of the Macintosh
in 1984, where the concepts of the "menu bar" and extended window management were added.
WIMPS are systems where a WINDOW will run a self-contained program, isolated within that window from other programs running at the same time (used to create multi-program operating systems), ICONS act as shortcuts to actions to be performed by the computer (such as execute a program), Menus are text-based or icon-based selection systems to again select and execute programs or sub-programs. Finally, the Pointer is an onscreen symbol that represents the movement of a physical device to allow the user to select elements on an output device such as a monitor.
The primary benefit of this style of system is to improve the HCI
by enabling better ease of use
for non-technical people, both novice and power user
s. Know-how can be ported from one application to the next, given the high consistency between interfaces.
Due to the nature of the WIMP system, simple commands can be chained together to undertake a group of commands that would have taken several lines of command line instructions. Due to this nature many technically proficient computer users deride WIMP systems since these act as a barrier between the user and the computer system. However, for the average computer user the introduction of the WIMP system has allowed for an expansion of users beyond the potential possible under the previous command line systems.
s that support this style. However, several HCI researchers consider this to be a sign of stagnation in user interface design
as the path of least resistance forces developers to follow a particular way of interaction. There are applications for which WIMP is not well suited, they argue, and the lack of technical support increases difficulty for the development of interfaces not based on the WIMP style. This includes any application requiring devices that provide continuous input signals, showing 3D models, or simply portraying an interaction for which there is no defined standard widget. Andries van Dam
calls these interfaces post-WIMP
GUIs.
The term is also used in some circles as a pejorative, to indicate someone cannot perform useful work unless a graphical environment is present, and therefore relies too heavily on GUIs. This assumes of course that CLI
tools of equal or greater functionality are available for the tasks at hand.
Human–computer interaction
Human–computer Interaction is the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people and computers. It is often regarded as the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design and several other fields of study...
, WIMP stands for "window
Window (computing)
In computing, a window is a visual area containing some kind of user interface. It usually has a rectangular shape that can overlap with the area of other windows...
s, icon
Computer icon
A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
s, menu
Menu (computing)
In computing and telecommunications, a menu is a list of commands presented to an operator by a computer or communications system. A menu is used in contrast to a command-line interface, where instructions to the computer are given in the form of commands .Choices given from a menu may be selected...
s and pointers", denoting a style of interaction using these elements. It was coined by Merzouga Wilberts in 1980. Although its usage has fallen out of favor, it is often incorrectly used as an approximate synonym of "GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
".
Any interface that utilizes graphics can be termed a "GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
" and WIMP systems are a derivative of such systems. However, while all WIMP systems utilize graphics as a key element (namely the Icon and Pointer element) and therefore are all GUIs, not all GUIs are WIMPs.
For example, most mobile phones utilize icons (graphics represents and results in an action being performed) and some may have menus but very few include a pointer or run their utilities/programs in a window.
WIMP interaction was developed at Xerox PARC
Xerox PARC
PARC , formerly Xerox PARC, is a research and co-development company in Palo Alto, California, with a distinguished reputation for its contributions to information technology and hardware systems....
(see Xerox Alto
Xerox Alto
The Xerox Alto was one of the first computers designed for individual use , making it arguably what is now called a personal computer. It was developed at Xerox PARC in 1973...
, developed in 1973) and popularized with Apple
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
's introduction of the Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
in 1984, where the concepts of the "menu bar" and extended window management were added.
WIMPS are systems where a WINDOW will run a self-contained program, isolated within that window from other programs running at the same time (used to create multi-program operating systems), ICONS act as shortcuts to actions to be performed by the computer (such as execute a program), Menus are text-based or icon-based selection systems to again select and execute programs or sub-programs. Finally, the Pointer is an onscreen symbol that represents the movement of a physical device to allow the user to select elements on an output device such as a monitor.
The primary benefit of this style of system is to improve the HCI
Human–computer interaction
Human–computer Interaction is the study, planning, and design of the interaction between people and computers. It is often regarded as the intersection of computer science, behavioral sciences, design and several other fields of study...
by enabling better ease of use
Usability
Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job...
for non-technical people, both novice and power user
Power user
A power user is a user of a personal computer who has the ability to use advanced features of programs which are beyond the abilities of "normal" users, but is not necessarily capable of programming and system administration...
s. Know-how can be ported from one application to the next, given the high consistency between interfaces.
Due to the nature of the WIMP system, simple commands can be chained together to undertake a group of commands that would have taken several lines of command line instructions. Due to this nature many technically proficient computer users deride WIMP systems since these act as a barrier between the user and the computer system. However, for the average computer user the introduction of the WIMP system has allowed for an expansion of users beyond the potential possible under the previous command line systems.
Alternative Acronyms
Different sources expand the acronym WIMP differently. The terms may be plural or singular, and the term corresponding to P varies the most. All of the following can be found on the web (as of 2004):- W: Window(s)
- I: Icon(s)
- M: Menu(s); sometimes incorrectly given as mouse or mice: incorrect since a mouse is a hardware device and WIMP refers to an entirely software-base HCI system.
- P: Pointing device(s); Pointing; Pointer(s) (note that the term "pointer" can be incorrectly assumed to be a mouse. Though the mouse is the primary controller for the onscreen pointer there are a multitude of options available to the user. Equally, the mouse is a hardware device and WIMP is only concerned about the software HCI.)
Criticism
User interfaces based on the WIMP style are very good at abstracting workspaces, documents, and their actions. Their analogous paradigm to documents as paper sheets or folders, makes WIMP interfaces easy to introduce to novice users. Furthermore their basic representations as rectangular regions on a 2D flat screen make them a good fit for system programmers. Generality makes them very suitable for multitasking work environments. This explains why the paradigm has been prevalent for more than 20 years, both giving rise to and benefiting from commercial widget toolkitWidget toolkit
In computing, a widget toolkit, widget library, or GUI toolkit is a set of widgets for use in designing applications with graphical user interfaces...
s that support this style. However, several HCI researchers consider this to be a sign of stagnation in user interface design
User interface design
User interface design or user interface engineering is the design of computers, appliances, machines, mobile communication devices, software applications, and websites with the focus on the user's experience and interaction...
as the path of least resistance forces developers to follow a particular way of interaction. There are applications for which WIMP is not well suited, they argue, and the lack of technical support increases difficulty for the development of interfaces not based on the WIMP style. This includes any application requiring devices that provide continuous input signals, showing 3D models, or simply portraying an interaction for which there is no defined standard widget. Andries van Dam
Andries van Dam
Andries "Andy" van Dam is a Dutch-born American professor of computer science and former Vice-President for Research at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Together with Ted Nelson he contributed to the first hypertext system, HES in the late 1960s. He co-authored Computer Graphics:...
calls these interfaces post-WIMP
Post-WIMP
In computing post-WIMP comprises work on user interfaces, mostly graphical user interfaces, which attempt to go beyond the paradigm of windows, icons, menus and a pointing device, i.e. WIMP interfaces....
GUIs.
The term is also used in some circles as a pejorative, to indicate someone cannot perform useful work unless a graphical environment is present, and therefore relies too heavily on GUIs. This assumes of course that CLI
Command-line interface
A command-line interface is a mechanism for interacting with a computer operating system or software by typing commands to perform specific tasks...
tools of equal or greater functionality are available for the tasks at hand.