But even after the switch to graphical operating systems, the command line remained text-based. Instead, you had to type in all commands – the directory structures were then displayed as plain text on the screen.
In older operating systems (like MS-DOS), you had to work without a graphical user interface, and oftentimes even navigate without a mouse. This makes it possible, for example, to organize files, start programs, or run other commands linked to the operating system, computer, or network.
The command line (also called the console or terminal) is a text-based interface within the operating system, that forwards commands from the user to the operating system.