Wizard (software)

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This article refers to the Wizard as a software. For other uses, see Wizard (disambiguation)

The "New Connection Wizard" is an example of a wizard in Microsoft Windows.

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. In some open source software they are called Druids. Other software products like the Alpha Five database application development tool, call them "Genies" to reflect the "magical" help they give users.

Microsoft's Windows 95 was the first operating system to make use of wizards. The most commonly-used wizard at the time was the Internet Connection Wizard, which was renamed to the "New Connection Wizard" in later versions of Microsoft Windows. This wizard guides the user through the process of creating a connection to the Internet, or to a Virtual Private Network. By 2001, wizards had become commonplace in most consumer-oriented operating systems. In Mac OS X, for example, they are called "Assistants"; some examples include the "Setup Assistant", which is run when one boots the Macintosh for the first time, and the "Network Setup Assistant", which has similar function to the aforementioned "New Connection Wizard".

Web applications, such as an airline booking site, also make use of the wizard paradigm to complete lengthy interactive processes. Some softwares like Oracle Designer, use also Wizards extensively.

By contrast, expert systems guide the user through a series of (usually yes/no) questions to solve a problem, and tend to make use of artificial intelligence or other complex algorithms. Some consider expert systems as a general category that includes all problem-solving programs including wizards.

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.^{[citation needed]}