user interface
/ˌjuː.zər ˈɪn.tə.feɪs/noun
A user interface (UI) is the part of a digital system through which a user receives information and operates it. Examples include screens, buttons, forms and voice controls.
The user interface lets a planner drag appointments and save changes immediately.
A user interface, often abbreviated to UI, is the part of a digital system through which someone receives information and operates it. It offers actions such as opening a menu, entering text or confirming a notification. A UI does not have to be purely visual: voice controls and command lines are also user interfaces.
What makes up a user interface?
In a web application, the UI usually consists of pages, navigation, forms, buttons and notifications. These elements should make clear which actions are possible and what the system has done afterwards. Clear labels, logical ordering and visible feedback help. Keyboard controls, colour contrast and error messages are also part of interface design.
The Glossary · In brieffrontendThe frontend is the part of a website or application that users see and operate, such as pages, buttons, forms and interactive screens.Read more contains the code that displays these elements in a browser or app and makes them respond. The user interface is the part the user actually sees or operates. An Glossary · In briefAPIAn API is a defined way for software to exchange data or call functions in other software without needing to know how that software works internally.Read more or Glossary · In briefdatabaseA database is a structured collection of data that software can store, retrieve and modify. A database management system controls access to that data.Read more may be needed for it to function but is not part of the UI.
UI and user experience
UI is one part of Glossary · In briefuser experienceUser experience, often abbreviated to UX, is the overall experience someone has when using a product, system or service.Read more, the overall experience of a product or service. UX includes things beyond individual screens, such as how logically a process flows, how quickly someone reaches their goal and what support is available.
A polished interface does not automatically create a good user experience. A form can look clear yet be frustrating if it requests unnecessary data or forgets entered information. UI design focuses on interaction and presentation; UX design considers the user's whole journey.