Interactive computing

Interactive computing is a part of computer science that involves software which takes input from the user while it is running. This means that the user can talk to the computer program, and the program can respond right away. This is different from some other kinds of programs that just run on their own without needing any help from a person.

Common examples of interactive software are things like word processors and spreadsheet applications. These are programs many people use every day. When you type a letter or change numbers in a spreadsheet, you are using interactive computing because the program changes based on what you do.

The main idea behind interactive computing is to have a real-time conversation between the computer and the person using it. This needs special technologies to work well. Sometimes, if the computer’s responses are very advanced, it can feel like the computer is having a conversation, thanks to social interfaces. Scientists and experts study how interactive computing affects users in a field called computer interaction.

History of interactive computing systems

Ivan Sutherland is known as the father of interactive computing because of his work on Sketchpad, an interactive graphics program he created in 1963. He later worked at ARPA's Information Processing Techniques Office.

Douglas Engelbart developed the NLS system, imagining how people could interact with computers and share knowledge in a big virtual space. In 1965, he shared his early work with pointing devices, like the computer mouse, for use on interactive display workstations. His ideas helped shape interactive computing and influenced companies like Xerox PARC and Apple. In 2008, SRI held a special event to celebrate Engelbart's important contributions.

Current research

Interactive computing needs users to keep giving input, which makes it different from batch processing systems that run on their own.

Researchers are working on new ways to program and make sure interactive computing is safe and reliable. IPython is a tool for scientific computing that helps show data and works with events and user interfaces. The School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology started in 2007 and offers advanced degrees. The Tangible Media Group at MIT tries to connect digital and physical worlds in new ways.