14 A.C.

A interface is a zone , real or virtual which separates two elements. The interface thus indicates what each element has need to know of the other to be able to function correctly.

Only, the exhaustive knowledge of the interfaces of a product or a system makes it possible to guarantee the Interopérabilité of it. One can define 7 kinds of interfaces plus a eighth, the relation between human. The latter also requires strictly defined protocols in order to avoid the conflicts.

Interface in communication

In the case of the communication, in all the cases the interface can be defined by five layers:

Physical : Definition of the information support or media. It can be the Internet network, a Disquette, a Clef USB, a sheet of paper, the vibrations of the air,…
Orthographique : Definition of the coding of the characters, the images and the sounds, phonemes. For example: Iso-latin1, ASCII 7 bits, Unicode, JPEG, vorbis, Morse…
Lexical : Definition of the exchanged terms. For example: name, first name, zip code, number INSEE…
Grammatical : Order and scheduling of the terms.
Functional : Which is the significance of the Information? Who has the right to send it? What has to make the receiver of it?

The last three levels contribute to the semantics of the communication.

man-machine Interface

A man-machine interface (IHM) makes it possible to exchange information between the human user and the machine. So that this communication is simplest to make and realize, various elements are used. Peripherals of entry, like the keyboard, the mouse, or the scanner make it possible the man to give information or orders to the machine. The peripherals of exit like the screen, the diodes or the printer make it possible the machine to answer the orders and to post information.

The screen is an important component and can post simple text as well as a graphic Environnement elaborate. One of the goals of the discipline is thus to give tools and elements to format this environment as well as possible, and thus to make it possible the man to interact it more agreeably or more effectively with the machine.

The Interface Web is an example of man-machine interface made up of Web pages, making it possible for example to make remote purchases. A Web interface is generally accessible by a navigator Web. The most current elements of the interface Web are a logo, a menu of functionalities and an search engine. Often it makes it possible to exchange information with a database.

Research & developments virtual toys & tools applications in & Cyberspace scenery
Ergonomics

Interface in electronics

In the case of electronics, it is useful to detail the physical layer previously described and convenient to join together the following ones. The interface can then be defined by four layers:

Physical: definition of the pins of connection (number, provision), mechanical configuration of the Connector S (NB: this layer can miss certain slackened definitions of an interface)
Logique: name of the signals and food conveyed by the pins du/des connector (S), direction of distribution (or possibly bidirectionnality)
Electric: mode of piloting (tension/running) signals, levels of tension (or current) defining the states of each signal, speeds minimal and maximum of commutation, time of establishment and/or maintenance (compared to other signals), Protocolar etc
: relationship of the signals between them, significance of the successions of events on a Signal or a group of signals, interdicts, etc

Interface in data processing

An interface is an arrangement of software design to allow the coupling components. For a software Bibliothèque one speaks about Application program interface or API, allowing the coupling between a program and the bookstore. For a class, an object or a software module, one speaks simply about interface; this interface allows the coupling between classes, objects or modules. The interface which is presented to the user is named Interface user. It gives access to the functions of the program by the means of a keyboard, a mouse or a touchscreen all while representing them in a graphic way (Couplage between the man and the machine).

Interface in geography

Space allowing the comparison of two spaces/territories.

The interface, in geography, is a zone of contact between two countries or areas, it corresponds to a limit or a border separating two spaces or territory. This zone of contact is a place of exchanges (mainly economic, but also cultural…). The interfaces thus are distinguished:

continental, between two countries or areas (ground-ground);
maritime, between a maritime frontage and the rest of the world (ground-sea)
open (freedom of movement), closed (absence of flows) or partially open

(controlled flows)

Places of the interface can-being, with the local scales, the ports or " gateways" (" doors océaniques") ; international airports or " hubs" ; teleports or waiters…, with the national scales, metropolises or city-World or a littoral.