why we use CLI?

Question

when we have GUI then why do we use dos or linux commands.it is mostly used by administrators.why so ?

Answer 1

Well this is a simple one! We use CLI because GUI's are incomplete and have never allowed you to do everything that CLI does. Some common examples are,
With GUI's you are not able to rename a list of files in a directory without finding a spyware infested program that does, however with the CLI you can do this easy without the use of other programs.
With GUI's if you need to delete a file that is infected with a virus and it is in use by the GUI it is impossable to delete but again with CLI you can delete it.
In simple terms, when you are using a GUI you are at the mercy of the person(s) who programmed it and are only able to do what they want you to do, a good example is the new Vista, Microsoft has most spyware able to be blocked with the exception of when they want to look into your system, you never know their there but they are and you have no idea exactly what they are looking at because they built the GUI.
A good way to discribe this is, lets say you want a drink of water, you have the choice of turning on the faucet and filling your glass or you have the choice of turning on the faucet then running the water threw a water filter (which by all rights you really don't know exactly what that filter is doing to your water) then filling your glass, so with the first you know what your getting but with the second you don't, this is why the administrators ust CLI because they need to know for sure exacly what is going on and are not limited by using a GUI, plus a CLI takes a fraction of the memory and resources than a GUI run program because the way it is is with a CLI the program runs directly to the computers language where a GUI program loads into another program (the GUI) then to the machines language, the only advantage to a GUI is to allow the computer illerate a way to use some of the computers potential.

Answer 2

Linux & Unix runs mostly on the CLI comands using the (K)console. Shell commands r desgined for easier use. I can think of 1 example y to use CLI.

When we had practical exams at college, we were asked to execute the programs using CLI , coz many ppl used to hide the programs in folders on a LAN. The CLI was defined to work only on certain path, so that we would not copy it from other memory or other user.

Answer 3

Because GUI can't be used for all the commands by design (so that a lay man can't invoke risky commands). As you have rightly pointed out administrators require to use a lot of commands (technical of course), which are better handled in a technical manner (I am an anti-GUI protoganist). If all powerful commands are made available in someone who does not know the implications may create havoc by clicking, dragging and dropping. Usage of CLI requires good technical knowledge (so anything is done with awareness)

Answer 4

For automated scripts. Or because sometimes it's faster that way. Or sometimes the CLI offers options you don't get with the GIU. Or perhaps command piping (output from one command as input to another). This can't be done in the GUI.

I'm sure there are lots of other reasons too.

Answer 5

also.. with the GUI it only gives you limited tasks to manage your device... with CLI all features can be accessed

Answer 6

Because they are faster than GUI and don't load the CPU. Join my forum- http://www.theitkgroup.net/