Interface

An interface may refer to any of the following:

1. With software, an interface is a program that allows a user to interact with computers in person or over a network. An interface may also refer to controls used in a program that provide similar utility. An example of an interface that all users are familiar with is a GUI (graphical user interface). In fact, this type of interface is what you are using now to view and navigate this page through a web browser.

2. With hardware, an interface is a physical device, port, or connection that allows hardware devices to interact with one another. For example, IDE (integrated drive electronics) and SATA (Serial AT Attachment) are disk drive interfaces for computer hard drives. ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) is an early interface for CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) drives. You can think of a hardware interface as a translator that helps devices understand each other.

Examples of interfaces

Drive interfaces

The following list contains different internal and external interfaces that connect a drive to a computer.

• ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment)
• ATAPI
• eSATA
• FireWire
• IDE
• NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)
• Parallel port
• SATA
• SCSI (small computer system interface)
• USB (universal serial bus)

Other data interfaces

The following list contains examples of interfaces used for data transmission.

• Bluetooth
• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi

Cable, Hardware terms, HCI, Parallel interface, Port, Software terms, UI