What does a computer mouse do?

A mouse is an input device that allows people to interact with their computer. The mouse moves the onscreen arrow around the computer's display to point and click on command buttons, menus and icons. Users can either click once (either left or right) or double click.

Despite the fact that a computer mouse comes in different sizes and shapes, basic functions and parts remain the same. A traditional mouse has two buttons and a scrolling wheel in between. On laptops, the mouse is substituted with an inbuilt touch pad. A computer mouse might use a ball, or an optical lens to record the motion of the hand.