It is distinct from the cursor, which responds to keyboard input. It can be used in text-based or graphical user interfaces to select and move other elements. It signals the point where actions of the user take place. In computing, a pointer or mouse cursor (as part of a personal computer WIMP style of interaction) is a symbol or graphical image on the computer monitor or other display device that echoes movements of the pointing device, commonly a mouse, touchpad, or stylus pen. The mouse cursor is also called a pointer, owing to its resemblance in usage to a pointing stick. In computer user interfaces, a cursor is an indicator used to show the current position for user interaction on a computer monitor or other display device that will respond to input from a text input or pointing device.
