Linux Graphical User Interface Explained
Linux provides two user interfaces to work with the system. These interfaces are GUI (Graphical User Interface) and CLI (Command Line Interface). This tutorial provides a basic overview and fundamentals of the GUI interface and compares it with the CLI interface.
RHEL Linux uses Wayland protocol to run graphical applications and provide a GUI interface. It is a client/server architecture-based display protocol. It sets up the foundation for the display manager and the desktop environment.
The display /login manager
A display/login manager controls the presentation of the graphical login screen. The graphical login screen displays a list of all regular user accounts on the system. It does not list superuser accounts. Select the desired user and enter the password if you want to log in as any listed user. If you wish to log in as an unlisted user, click Not List? and enter the username and password for the desired user account.
The top bar on the screen displays the date and time in the middle, and the accessibility, network connectivity, sound level, and battery/power status options on the right.
Use the Accessibility option to turn an accessibility feature on or off. Use the arrowhead on the right of the options to power off or reboot the system and change the system volume. To check the network connectivity, use the network icon.
The desktop manager
The desktop manager verifies the credentials when you enter a username and password on the login screen. If the credentials are correct, it presents a preconfigured graphical desktop manager. Many desktop managers exist, such as GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, MATE, and Unity. The default desktop manager in RHEL Linux is GNOME. It provides a simple and fast GUI interface to run programs and manage the system.
The default GNOME screen has an Activities icon at the top left. It allows us to search and access programs. When clicked, it shows a list of icons on the left side and a Search box in the middle.
We can search any installed application, setting, or file in the search box. The application list includes Firefox web browser, file manager, software updates, GNOME help, shell terminal, and a nine-dot icon. If we click the nine dots icon, it displays all available programs, including Settings. The Settings application includes system settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, desktop background, notifications, regional settings, privacy, sound, power, screensaver, network, and many more.
Comparing CLI and GUI
The following table compares CLI (command line interface) and GUI (graphical user interface) and lists their differences.
| CLI (command line interface) | GUI (graphical user interface) |
| It is complex. | It is easy to use. |
| It is fast and lightweight. | It is slow and heavy. |
| It is available on all platforms and environments. | It is not available on the platforms that open connections with remote systems for management and file transfer. |
| It is part of the default installation. You do not need to change any settings during the installation process to install it. The installation process automatically installs it and presents it as the default option to interact with the system. | It is not part of the default installation. To install it, you must select it on the Software Selections screen. If you do this, the installation installs it and presents it as the default option to interact with the system. |
| It needs minimal hardware resources. | It needs optimal hardware resources. |
Conclusion
GUI and CLI are two ways to use a Linux system. The GUI interface lets users use a mouse to open and control applications. The CLI interface limits users to only using a keyboard. In this tutorial, we compared both and learned the basic features and functions of GUI.
Author Laxmi Goswami Updated on 2026-03-03