Command line vs. GUI.

Answers

 Users not completely familiar with a command line interface or a graphic user interface may want to know the advantages and disadvantages of each interface to determine which one is best for them or help become more familiar with interfaces and what is best to use and why. Below is a table to help illustrate the major advantages and disadvantages of each of the interfaces.

Topic	Command line	GUI
Ease	Because of the memorization and familiarity needed to operate a command line interface new users find it much more difficult to successfully navigate and operate a command line interface.	Although new users may have a difficult at time learning to use the mouse to operate and use a GUI most users pick up this interface much easier when compared to a command line interface.
Control	Users have much more control of their file system and operating system in a command line interface. For example, users can easily copy a specific file from one location to another with a one-line command.	Although a GUI offers plenty of control of a file system and operating system often advance users or users who need to do specific task may need to resort to a command line to complete that task.
Multitasking	Although many command line environments are capable of multitasking they do not offer the same ease and ability to view multiple things at once on one screen.	GUI users have windows that enable a user to easily view, control, and manipulate multiple things at once and is commonly much faster to do when compared to a command line.
Speed	Because command line users only need to use their keyboards to navigate a command line interface and often only need to execute a few lines to perform a task an advanced command line interface user would be able to get something done faster then an advance GUI user.	A GUI may be easier to use because of the mouse. However, using a mouse and keyboard to navigate and control your operating system for many things is going to be much slower than someone who is working in a command line..
Low resources	A computer that is only using the command line takes a lot less of the computers resources.	A GUI will require a lot more system resources because of each of the elements that need to be loaded such as icons, fonts, etc. In addition video drivers, mouse drivers, and other drivers that need to be loaded will also take additional resources.
Scripting	A command line interface enables a user to easily script a sequence of commands to perform a task or execute a program.	Although A GUI enables a user to create shortcuts, tasks, or other similar actions to complete a task or run a program it doesn't even come close in comparison to what is available through a command line.
Remote access	Often when accessing another computer or networking device over a network a user will only be able to manipulate the device or its files using a command line, CLI, or other text only manipulation.	Although remote graphical access is becoming popular and is possible. Not all computers and especially not all network equipment will have this ability.