Graphical User Interfaces

A graphical user interface (GUI) uses graphics, along with a keyboard and a mouse, to provide an easy-to-use interface to a program. A GUI provides windows, pull-down menus, buttons, scrollbars, iconic images, wizards, other icons, and the mouse to enable users to interact with the operating system or application.

The Solaris 9 operating environment supports two GUIs, the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) and the GNOME desktop.

Common Desktop Environment

The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) provides windows, workspaces, controls, menus, and the Front Panel to help you organize and manage your work. You can use the CDE GUI to organize your files and directories, read, compose and send email, access files, and manage your system.

For more information, see Solaris Common Desktop Environment: User's Guide.

GNOME Desktop

GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) is a GUI and set of computer desktop applications. You can use the GNOME desktop, panel, applications, and tool set to customize your working environment and manage your system tasks. GNOME also provides an application set, including a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a database manager, a presentation tool, a Web browser, and an email program.