Pointing Devices

What is a pointing device?

A pointing device, or sometimes called a pointing tool, is a hardware input device that allows the user to move the mouse cursor in a computer program or GUI operating system. Using a pointing device, you can point at or manipulate any object or text on the screen. For example, using a pointing device you could point at and select an icon from a list of icons.

Examples of pointing devices

Below are some examples of pointing devices that can be used on a computer. We will be looking in detail at some of these in the upcoming sections.

• Computer mouse

• Joystick

• Light pen (pen)

• Stylus

• Trackball

• TrackPoint

• Touchpad