A wizard is an interactive computer program acting as an interface to lead a user through a complex task using dialog steps.
This very general definition does not attempt to distinguish a wizard from an expert system. This distinction is not clear in the programing vocabulary. Usually, a wizard searches a database for criteria entered by the user. A web search engine is the most common type of simple wizard. Online airline ticket booking is more complex form of wizard software.
In contrast to Wizards, Expert Systems guide the user through a series of questions, usually with a yes or no answer. Expert Systems are built around algorithms or rules rather than databases. Unfortunately, this distinction is not universal. For example, small rule-based program to assist the installation of network connections or computer peripherals in Microsoft Windows are called Wizards. Some consider Expert System as a general term that include all problem-solving programs, including Wizards and rule-based programs.
Wizards were very controversial amongst user interface designers when they were introduced, because they encourage modal windows, which were considered antithetical to proper human interface design. However, supporters of Microsoft, the leading adopter of wizards, argued that compliance with what they considered arbitrary laws should be secondary to ease of use in user interface design.
A wizard is an interactive computer program which acts as an interface to lead a user through a complex task, using step-by-step dialogs.
Wizards were controversial among user interface designers when they first gained widespread use, because they encourage modal windows, which some consider antithetical to proper human interface design.
Supporters of the wizard paradigm argue that compliance with what they consider to be arbitrary laws should be secondary to ease of use in interface design.
During the 15th century, the term "wizard" referred to "philosopher, sage", from Middle English wysard (from wys "wise" and the -ard suffix also in drunkard etc.) The semantic restriction to "sorcerer, magician" occurred in the 16th century.
In most cases there is little to differentiate a wizard from similar fictional and folkloric practitioners of magic such as an enchanter, a magician, a sorcerer, a necromancer, or a thaumaturgist, but specific authors and works use the names with narrower meanings.
In the Middle-earth legendarium, "wizard" is a term applied only to the five members of the Order of the Istari; the term "wizard" could never be applied to a human, and a human magic user is simply called a sorcerer.
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