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{{use dmy dates|date=August 2021|cs1-dates=y}}
[[File:Text cursor blinking.gif|right|frame|A blinking text cursor while typing the word
In [[human–computer interaction]], a '''cursor''' is an indicator used to show the current position on a [[computer monitor]] or other [[display device]] that will respond to input, such as a text cursor or a mouse pointer.
== Etymology ==
''Cursor'' is Latin for 'runner'. A cursor is a name given to the transparent slide engraved with a hairline used to mark a point on a [[slide rule]]. The term was then transferred to computers through analogy.
[[File:slide rule cursor.jpg|thumb|Cursor on a slide rule]]
On 14 November 1963, while attending a conference on computer graphics in [[Reno, Nevada]], [[Douglas Engelbart]] of [[Augmentation Research Center]] (ARC) first expressed his thoughts to pursue his objective of developing both hardware and software computer technology to
According to Roger Bates, a young hardware designer at ARC under [[Bill English (computer engineer)|Bill English]], the cursor on the screen was for some unknown reason also referred to as
== Text cursor ==
{{further|Caret navigation}}
{{see also|Text field}}
[[File: Windows Command Prompt.png|thumb|332px|The cursor for the [[Windows Command Prompt]] (appearing as an underscore at the end of the line)]]
In most [[command-line interface]]s or [[text editor]]s, the text cursor, also known as a '''[[Caret navigation|caret]]''',<ref>[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/834271/en-us FIX: The caret shape appears as a thick rectangle after you switch from the Korean Input Method Editor (IME) to English in Visual FoxPro 8.0]</ref> is an [[underscore]], a solid rectangle, or a vertical line, which may be flashing or steady, indicating where text will be placed when entered (the '''insertion point'''). In [[text mode]] displays, it was not possible to show a vertical bar between characters to show where the new text would be inserted, so an underscore or block cursor was used instead. In situations where a block was used, the block was usually created by inverting the pixels of the character using the
In a typical [[text editor|text editing application]], the cursor can be moved by pressing various keys. These include the four [[
The blinking of the text cursor is usually temporarily suspended when it is being moved; otherwise, the cursor may change position when it is not visible, making its ___location difficult to follow.
The concept of a blinking cursor can be attributed to Charles Kiesling Sr. via US Patent 3531796,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kiesling |first1=Charles |title=US Patent 3531796: Blinking cursor for
Some interfaces use an underscore or thin vertical bar to indicate that the user is in [[insert mode]], a [[mode (user interface)|mode]] where text will be [[insert key|inserted]] in the middle of the existing text, and a larger block to indicate that the user is in [[
=== Bi-directional text ===
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== Pointer ==
[[File:CursorListHorizontal.png|thumb|The common pointer roles for a pointer set
[[File:mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg|thumb|right|Common pointer types (enlarged)]]
In [[computing]], a '''pointer''' or '''mouse pointer''' (as part of a [[personal computer]] [[WIMP (computing)|WIMP]] style of interaction)<ref name="nytimes cellphone">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/science/17map.html | title=The Cellphone, Navigating Our Lives | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=February 16, 2009 | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Markoff, John | ___location=New York | quote=[...] so-called WIMP interface — for windows, icons, menus, pointer [...]}}</ref><ref name="microsoft ">{{cite web | url=http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=68165 | title=Haptic Issues for Virtual Manipulation | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | date=December 1996 | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Hinckley, Ken | quote=The Windows-Icons-Menus-Pointer (WIMP) interface paradigm dominates modern computing systems.}}</ref><ref name="microsoft input technologies">{{cite web | url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/kenh/papers/InputChapter.pdf | title=Input Technologies and Techniques | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Hinckley, Ken | quote=Researchers are looking to move beyond the current "WIMP" (Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointer) interface [...] }}</ref> is a symbol or graphical image on the [[computer monitor]] or other [[display device]] that echoes movements of the [[pointing device]], commonly a [[mouse (computing)|mouse]], [[touchpad]], or [[digital pen|stylus]] pen. It signals the point where actions of the user take place. It can be used in [[
Though it is distinct from the text cursor, the mouse pointer is also being called a cursor or mouse cursor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/cursor |website=MDN Web Docs |title=Cursor |date=4 February 2025 }}</ref>
The pointer commonly appears as an angled arrow (angled because historically that improved appearance on low-resolution screens<ref>{{cite web|title=Document from 1981 reveals why mouse cursor is tilted and not straight|url=http://hacksandstuff.com/computers/why-mouse-cursor-is-tilted-reason_1234210.html|access-date=18 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217232416/http://hacksandstuff.com/computers/why-mouse-cursor-is-tilted-reason_1234210.html|archive-date=17 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>), but it can vary within different programs or [[operating system]]s. The use of a pointer is employed when the input method, or pointing device, is a device that can move fluidly across a screen and select or highlight objects on the screen. In GUIs where the input method relies on hard keys, such as the five-way key on many [[mobile phone]]s, there is no pointer employed, and instead, the GUI relies on a clear [[Focus (computing)|focus]] state.
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[[File:Cursor-design1-hourglass.svg|48x48px|thumb|A ''wait'' pointer replaces the pointer with an hourglass.]]
The pointer ''hotspot'' is the active pixel of the pointer, used to target a [[Point and click|click]] or [[Drag and drop|drag]]. The
In many GUIs, moving the pointer around the screen may reveal other [[screen hotspot]]s as the pointer changes shape depending on the circumstances. For example:
* In
* When displaying a document, the pointer can appear as a hand with all fingers extended allowing scrolling by
* Graphics
* On an edge or corner of a [[window (computing)|window]] the pointer usually changes into a double arrow (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) indicating that the user can drag the edge/corner in an indicated direction to adjust the size
* The corners and edges of the whole screen may also act as [[screen hotspot]]s. According to [[Fitts's law]], which predicts the time it takes to reach a target area, moving mouse and stylus pointers to those spots is easy and fast. As the pointer usually stops when reaching a screen edge, the size of those spots can be considered of virtual infinite size, so the hot corners and edges can be reached quickly by throwing the pointer toward the edges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://particletree.com/features/visualizing-fittss-law/ |title=Visualizing Fitts' Law |first=Kevin |last=Hale |website=Particle Tree |date=3 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/08/fitts-law-and-infinite-width.html |title=Fitts' Law and Infinite Width |first=Jeff |last=Atwood |author-link=Jeff Atwood |website=Coding Horror |date=9 August 2006 |access-date=2021-04-07 |archive-date=2014-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214030831/http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/08/fitts-law-and-infinite-width.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* While a computer process is performing tasks and cannot accept user input, a wait pointer (an [[hourglass]] in [[
* When the pointer hovers over a [[hyperlink]], a [[mouseover]] event changes the pointer into a hand with an outstretched index finger. Often some informative text about the link may pop up in a [[tooltip]], which disappears when the user moves the pointer away. The tooltips revealed in the box
* In [[Windows 7]], when Windows Touch was introduced in the mainstream to make Windows more touch-friendly, a touch pointer is displayed instead of the mouse pointer. The touch pointer can be switched off in Control Panel and resembles a small diamond shape. When the screen is touched a blue ripple appears around the touch pointer to provide visual touch feedback. When swiping to scroll etc., the touch pointer would follow the finger as it moves. If touch and hold to right-click is enabled, touching and holding will show a thick white ring around the touch pointer. When this ring appears, releasing one's finger would perform a right-click.
** If a pen is used the left-click ripple is colorless instead of blue and the right-click ring is a thinner ring that appears closer to the pen tip making contact with the screen. A click (either left or right) will not show the touch pointer, but swiping would still show the pointer which would follow the pen tip.
** Also, the touch pointer would only appear on the desktop once a user has signed in to Windows 7. On the sign-in screen, the mouse pointer would simply jump to the point touched and a left click would be sent on a tap, similar to when a touch input is used on operating systems before Windows 7.
* In [[Windows 8]] and above with a [[touchscreen]], visual touch feedback displays a translucent circle where the finger makes contact with the screen, and a square when attempting to touch and hold to right-click. A swipe is shown by a translucent line of varying thickness. Feedback can be switched on and off in Pen and Touch settings of the [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]] in [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows 8.1]] or in the [[Settings (Windows)|Settings]] app on [[Windows 10]], and feedback can also be made darker and larger where it needs to be emphasized, such as when presenting. However, the touch pointer is normally less commonly visible in touchscreen environments of Windows operating systems later than Windows 7.
* The mouse-over or hover gesture can also show a [[tooltip]], which presents information about what the pointer is hovering over; the information is a description of what selecting an active element is for or what it will do. The tooltip appears only when stationary over the content. A common use of viewing the information is when browsing the internet to know the destination of a [[Hyperlink|link]] before selecting it, if the [[
** When using touch or a pen with Windows, hovering when supported or performing a set gesture or flick may show the tooltip.
====I-beam pointer====
[[File: I-beam pointer.
The I-beam pointer (also called the I-cursor) is a cursor shaped like a [[serif]]ed capital letter
=== Pointer trails and animation ===
[[Image:PointerTrails.png|thumb|right|An example of mouse pointer trails
'''{{vanchor|Pointer trails}}'''<!-- [[Pointer trails]] redirects here --> can be used to enhance its visibility during movement. Pointer trails are a feature of GUI [[operating system]]s to enhance the visibility of the pointer. Although disabled by default, pointer trails have been an option in every version of Microsoft Windows since [[Windows 3.1x]].
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When pointer trails are active and the mouse or stylus is moved, the system waits a moment before removing the pointer image from the old ___location on the screen. A copy of the pointer persists at every point that the pointer has visited at that moment, resulting in a snake-like trail of pointer icons that follow the actual pointer. When the user stops moving the mouse or removes the stylus from the screen, the trails disappear and the pointer returns to normal.
Pointer trails have been provided as a feature mainly for users with [[
In Windows, pointer trails may be enabled in the [[Control Panel (Windows)|Control Panel]], usually under the [[Mouse (computing)|Mouse]] applet.
Introduced with [[Windows NT]], an ''[[ANI (file format)|animated pointer]]'' was a small looping animation that was played at the ___location of the pointer.<ref name=atlantic2007>{{cite book | author=Staff | year=2007 | page=24 | title=Encyclopedia Of Information Technology | publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors | isbn=978-81-269-0752-6 }}</ref> This is used, for example, to provide a visual cue that the computer is busy with a task.<ref name=pearson>{{cite book | author=Lock & Philander | year=2009 | editor=Michael Sangster | page=149 | title=FCS Systems Analysis & Design L4 | publisher=Pearson Education South Africa | isbn=978-1-77025-428-2 }}</ref> After their introduction, many animated pointers became available for download from third party suppliers.
== 3D cursor ==
[[File:Blender3DCursor.png|thumb|An example of
The idea of a cursor being used as a marker or insertion point for new data or transformations, such as rotation, can be extended to a [[3D modeling]] environment. [[Blender (software)|Blender]], for instance, uses a 3D cursor to determine where operations such as placing [[Polygon mesh|meshes]] are to take place in the 3D viewport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3D Cursor — Blender Manual |url=https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/editors/3dview/3d_cursor.html |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=docs.blender.org}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Susan Kare]], designer of several of the common cursor shapes
* [[Microangelo Toolset]]
* [[Throbber]]
* [[Tooltip]]
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==External links==
{{Commons category|
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160401114154/http://www.evotech.net/blog/category/cursors/ Creating and controlling browser cursors]
* [http://beradrian.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/cross-browser-custom-css-cursors/ Cross-browser CSS custom cursors]
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