In the field of computer science, an interface is a tool and concept that refers to a point of interaction between components, and is applicable at the level of both hardware and software. This allows a component, whether a piece of hardware such as a graphics card or a piece of software such as an Internet browser, to function independently while using interfaces to communicate with other components via an input/output system and an associated protocol.
In addition to hardware and software interfaces, a computing interface may refer to the means of communication between the computer and the user by means of peripheral devices such as a monitor or a keyboard, an interface with the Internet via Internet Protocol, and any other point of communication involving a computer.
Most computer interfaces are bi-directional, but some, such as to a simple mouse or microphone, are uni-directional.
Hardware interfaces exist in computing systems between many of the components such as the various…