{"id":3135,"date":"2011-08-17T11:24:58","date_gmt":"2011-08-17T11:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/command-line-interface\/"},"modified":"2024-08-22T14:27:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T14:27:08","slug":"command-line-interface","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3337\/command-line-interface-cli","title":{"rendered":"Command Line Interface (CLI)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a Command Line Interface (CLI)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A command line interface is a control window that relies on text, meaning you type in commands that alter how your operating system<\/a> (OS) or applications work.<\/p>\n

While most of us rely on the standard graphic user interface<\/a> (GUI) to interact with our computers<\/a> and programs, sometimes you need more control. A command line interface (CLI) gives you extra powers to fix, adjust, or add capabilities to your applications \u2013\u00a0or even modify the computer itself.<\/p>\n

Using text commands, it allows programmers<\/a> and advanced end users to access functions that aren’t accessible with a GUI, for example, opening and altering system-protected files. The commands entered into the CLI are then run by the computer.<\/p>\n

There was a time when the command line interface was the only way to interact with a computer<\/a>. The arrival of the GUI-based personal computer made CLI redundant for most users, however, they’re still an important tool for IT professionals or anyone else who wants more granular control over software<\/a> and systems.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n