Cursor (computers)

In computing, a cursor is an indicator acclimated to appearance the position on a computer adviser or added affectation accessory that will acknowledge to ascribe from a argument ascribe or pointing device. The aflame argument cursor may be referred to as a caret in some cases.12 The abrasion cursor may be referred to as a abrasion pointer,3 attributable to its arrow appearance on some systems

Mouse cursor

Interfaces apprenticed by a computer abrasion or added pointing accessory add a additional cursor to actualization the accepted position of the abrasion pointer. Douglas Engelbart's On-Line System originally referred to the cursor as a "bug" or "tracking spot".6 In the On-Line System, the cursor actualization alternated "between the characters uparrow and plus".6 On avant-garde systems the absence abrasion cursor is an arrow pointing up and to the left, and is alleged the "mouse pointer".

In argument user interfaces, including the Linux animate and abounding MS-DOS programs, this cursor is frequently a solid rectangle; depending on the interface, the rectangle may consistently be a distinct color, or may be the adverse blush of whatever lies "below" it. Graphical user interfaces usually use an arrow-like arrow to actualization the abrasion position

Pointer trails and animation

Pointer trails are a feature of graphical user interface operating systems to enhance the visibility of the mouse cursor. Although disabled by default, pointer trails have been an option in every version of Microsoft Windows since Windows 3.1. When pointer trails are active and the mouse is moved, the system waits a moment before removing the mouse pointer image from the old location on the screen. A copy of the mouse pointer persists at every point that the mouse has visited in that moment, resulting in a snake-like trail of mouse pointer icons that follow the actual pointer. When the user stops moving the mouse, the trails disappear and the mouse pointer returns to normal. Mouse pointer trails have been provided as a feature mainly for users with poor vision and for screens where low visibility may become an issue, such as LCD screens in bright sunlight. In Windows, pointer trails may be enabled in the Control Panel, usually under the Mouse applet. Introduced with Windows NT, an animated cursor was a small looping animation that was played at the location of the mouse cursor.9 This is used, for example, to provide a visual cue that the computer is busy with a task.10 After their introduction, many animated cursors became available for download from third party suppliers. Unfortunately, animated cursors are not without their problems. In addition to imposing a small additional load on the CPU, the animated cursor routines did introduce a security vulnerability. A client-side exploit known as the Windows Animated Cursor Remote Code Execution Vulnerability used a buffer overflow vulnerability to load malicious code via the animated cursor load routine of Windows


Article Result :

Pointer trails are a affection of graphical user interface operating systems to enhance the afterimage of the abrasion cursor. Although disabled by default, arrow trails accept been an advantage in every adaptation of Microsoft Windows back Windows 3.1.

When arrow trails are alive and the abrasion is moved, the arrangement waits a moment afore removing the abrasion arrow angel from the old area on the screen. A archetype of the abrasion arrow persists at every point that the abrasion has visited in that moment, consistent in a snake-like aisle of abrasion arrow icons that chase the absolute pointer. When the user stops affective the mouse, the trails abandon and the abrasion arrow allotment to normal.

Mouse arrow trails accept been provided as a affection mainly for users with poor eyes and for screens area low afterimage may become an issue, such as LCD screens in ablaze sunlight.

In Windows, arrow trails may be enabled in the Control Panel, usually beneath the Abrasion applet.

Introduced with Windows NT, an activated cursor was a baby looping action that was played at the area of the abrasion cursor.9 This is used, for example, to accommodate a beheld cue that the computer is active with a task.10 After their introduction, abounding activated cursors became accessible for download from third affair suppliers. Unfortunately, activated cursors are not after their problems. In accession to arty a baby added amount on the CPU, the activated cursor routines did acquaint a aegis vulnerability. A client-side accomplishment accepted as the Windows Activated Cursor Remote Cipher Execution Vulnerability acclimated a absorber overflow vulnerability to amount awful cipher via the activated cursor amount accepted of Windows

3D cursor

The abstraction of a cursor actuality acclimated as a brand or admittance point for fresh abstracts or transformations, such as rotation, can be continued to a 3D clay environment. Blender, for instance, uses a 3D cursor to actuate area approaching operations are to booty place.

A real-life cursor such as this was featured as a holographic appearance in the science fiction TV alternation Automan.