List the advantages of using CLI over GUI

[jbeadling]

Summary

Compile a comprehensive list of advantages that make Command Line Interface (CLI) a more effective option than Graphical User Interface (GUI) for specific tasks or in certain scenarios.

Description

• Objective: To document the key strengths of CLI over GUI in order to inform decision-making for tool selection, project development, or educational content.
• Scope: Focus on the tangible benefits such as performance, resource usage, and specific use-cases where CLI has a clear edge.

Tasks

1. Research performance benefits of CLI:
   • Speed
   • Resource consumption
   • Task automation
2. Investigate versatility:
   • How CLI can manage complex tasks with simple commands
   • Batch processing capabilities
3. Examine user control:
   • Granularity of control provided by CLI
   • Capability to perform tasks not possible or too cumbersome in GUI
4. Review community and documentation:
   • Availability of open-source CLI tools
   • Robustness of documentation and community support
5. Compile this information into a well-organized list or report.

Acceptance Criteria

• A detailed list or report that fulfills all tasks mentioned.
• Include real-world examples or case studies to substantiate each advantage.
• Ensure information is factual and sourced from credible references.

Priority

• Medium

[jbeadling]

The CLI offers several advantages over a GUI especially in tasks dealing with back-end systems. Some of these are:

Scripting: You can use scripts to automate everyday tasks, something mandatory for programmers and system administrators. These scripts can also be ported very easily as long as you run a shell that is Bash compatible (most are).

Remote Access: CLI is commonly used for remote access via SSH, especially on systems without a GUI. There are remote tools for GUI but performance wise these are not as efficient.

Resource Efficiency: CLI consumes fewer system resources than a GUI. This is especially useful if you have a low spec device or older system you want to continue using, what will happen is that they might install an OS without a GUI and just use a CLI to interact with it.

Resource Monitoring: The CLI provides tools that give you detailed system and network resource monitoring and these are far better and easier to use than anything on a GUI.

Server Maintenance: Even if the Server has a GUI, the CLI is the primary tool that will be used for server maintenance tasks like server updates, configuration changes, and debugging.

Headless Operation: Alot of servers can come headless (which means no GUI installed, just the CLI), this also includes lots of smaller IOT devices. These are all managed exclusively by the CLI.