SNHU Command Languages Discussion

Describe a situation in which a command language or a natural-language interface (choose only one) may be more beneficial for users than other input methods would be. Include the intended audience, the main purpose of the application, and why a command language or a natural-language interface would be more suitable for this situation. Be sure your description is well organized and includes at least two examples.

In response to your peers, extend the conversation by providing additional insight and asking any clarifying questions.

Command languages are primarily used by computer scientists or programmers to gain access to systems operations or to process information more quickly. Although command languages are a fast way to process information, they can be challenging because the user must memorize specific syntax and commands. For daily tasks, this may be acceptable, but when an annual report is requested, the user will probably not remember the set of commands to execute the request. Menus and forms are a less stressful style of interaction, as the user can rely on recall. Additionally, the GUI allows the typical end user to use direct manipulation to move files and folders, while command language would require a series of commands and directory mapping, with the possibility of syntax errors.

Natural-language interface (NLI) refers to interacting with a device such as a computer or phone through natural spoken language. Although many users would prefer to use naturallanguage commands to carry out a task, this approach may cause too many errors. Humanto-human communication can be ambiguous. A word can be a noun or a verb. A sentence can have several interpretations. For example, consider the phrase Kim’s left. This could mean that Kim has left the area, or it could refer to a location on her left. Also, there are so many ways to answer a given prompt that it is nearly impossible to program all combinations of possible responses and have them accurately assessed by the system without increasing lag time due to processing very large amounts of data.