Abstract: A study was conducted to examine learning and performance differences between a command language and a direct manipulation system. Experimental results point out large differences in performance between the command language and direct manipulation systems which favor direct manipulation. Formal models of the knowledge required to use the systems were developed following the framework suggested by Kieras and Polson (1985). Failure of the formal models to accurately predict the advantages for the direct manipulation system are traced to insufficient emphasis on error behavior.

Keywords: Analysis; Empirical studies; Evaluation; Models and theories

Originally published: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 31st Annual Meeting, 1987, pp. 566-570

Republished: G. Perlman, G. K. Green, & M. S. Wogalter (Eds.) Human Factors Perspectives on Human-Computer Interaction: Selections from Proceedings of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meetings, 1983-1994, Santa Monica, CA: HFES, 1995, pp. 85-89.