Desktop environment

In graphical computing, a desktop environment (DE) commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface (GUI) that is based on the desktop metaphor which can be seen on most modern personal computers today.  Desktop environments are the most popular alternative to the older command line interface (CLI) which today is generally limited in use to computer professionals.

A desktop environment typically consists of icons, windows, toolbars, folders, wallpapers, and desktop widgets.

Software which provides a desktop environment might also provide drag and drop functionality and other features which make the desktop metaphor more complete. On the whole, a desktop environment is to be an intuitive way for the user to interact with the computer using concepts which are similar to those used when interacting with the physical world, such as buttons and windows.

Examples of desktop environments

The most common desktop environment on personal computers is the one provided by Microsoft Windows; another common environment is the one provided by Apple Mac OS X.

Other mainstream desktop environments for Unix-like operating systems using the X Window System include KDE, GNOME, Xfce and CDE.

GNOME	KDE	XFCE
EDE	Étoilé	Enlightenment
Window Maker	XFast	Workbench
Fluxbox	Openbox	Blackbox