Terminal UI
Terminal UI (TUI) refers to text-based user interfaces that run in a terminal or console, providing interactive graphical-like elements such as menus, forms, and windows using ASCII or Unicode characters. It enables developers to create rich, interactive applications that operate entirely within a command-line environment without requiring a graphical desktop. TUIs are commonly built using libraries like ncurses, Termbox, or modern frameworks such as Bubble Tea in Go or Textual in Python.
Developers should learn Terminal UI when building command-line tools that require complex user interactions, such as configuration wizards, system monitors, or development dashboards, as it enhances usability without the overhead of a full GUI. It's particularly useful for remote server administration, embedded systems, or environments where graphical interfaces are unavailable or impractical, offering a lightweight and fast alternative to traditional desktop applications.