What is a Mouse in Computer?

A computer mouse is a small, handheld device used to control a computer by interacting with its Graphical User Interface (GUI).

It typically has two buttons (left and right) and a scroll wheel, allowing users to perform actions like clicking, dragging, and scrolling. The mouse is moved across a surface, and its movement is reflected on the screen.

Over time, the design of the mouse has evolved, but its basic function remains unchanged. Different types of mice are available, each serving specific purposes. On laptops, an embedded touchpad often replaces the external mouse, but users can still connect an external mouse for interaction.

➣ Check - Different types of Mouse

In this article, we will learn about the parts of a mouse, its uses, various tricks with the mouse, and the different types of mice.

History of the Mouse

The mouse was introduced by Douglas Engelbart in the 1960s. The structure consisted of a wooden box with wheels at the bottom and two buttons present at the top. To establish a connection, a wire has been used. Then Apple introduced the mouse and made it an integral part of Macintosh. Then, advanced versions of the mouse have been introduced in the technical world.

Fun Facts About the Mechanical Mouse:

• The first mouse was made of wood!
• It got its name because it looked like a mouse with a “tail” (the cable).
• Mechanical mice were used in early video games and helped make computers fun.

Parts of a Mouse

• Mouse Buttons: Buttons are present on the outer part of the mouse. These buttons help users to click and navigate. The left button is used for clicking and double clicking, whereas the right click opens up the additional menu.

• Scroll wheel: The Scroll wheel is used to scroll the page up and down. When we click in the middle of the scroll wheel, it helps to click on hyperlinks.

• Motion Detection: Earlier trackballs were embedded inside the mice, which helped to detect the movements and convert them to signals, which were further processed. Nowadays, lasers are used that detect the movements and provide the output accordingly.

• Outer Cover or Shell: An outer covering is given to the mouse, which covers the inner components of the mouse, including the track ball or sensors.

Uses of the Mouse

The mouse has many purposes, some of which are as follows:

• The mouse is used to interact with the computer by pointing and clicking on icons.
• In gaming, a specialized "Gaming Mouse" with additional buttons and RGB lights is used for advanced controls.
• The mouse is also used for scrolling and navigating through the webpages.
• It plays a vital role in editing tasks such as dragging, selecting objects, blurring backgrounds, etc.
• Overall, the mouse is an essential tool for efficient computer use.

Mouse Tricks

In addition to basic actions like clicking and scrolling, there are several shortcut tricks you can perform with a mouse, such as:

• Double-clicking will highlight a word.
• Triple-clicking will highlight the entire paragraph.
• Holding down the left mouse button will highlight a column of text.
• Holding the left mouse button + CTRL while dragging will copy the items.
• Holding the left mouse button + SHIFT will move the items.
• On a webpage with a link, clicking the mouse scroll wheel will automatically open that page in a new tab. Try it—[Click here with the mouse wheel].
• Middle-clicking anywhere on a webpage will open a navigation tool that helps you navigate the page quickly or according to your preferences.
• Holding CTRL + middle-click will adjust the size of the webpage.
• Middle-clicking on a browser tab will close that tab.
• On a gaming mouse, there are additional buttons for DPI control, color changes, and more.

Types of Mouse

The mouse has evolved over the years. Now, a much broader classification has been done. The different types of mice are as follows:

• Wired Mouse: This type of mouse uses wires to establish a connection between the input device and the computer screen. Wired mice are comparatively cheap but are not easy to carry everywhere as the wires can get intertwined.

• Wireless Mouse: This type of mouse uses radio signals to communicate with the computer. Bluetooth connectivity is used to establish the connection. These are easier to carry but are expensive and have short lives.

• Mechanical Mouse: A mechanical mouse is a type of mouse that comprises a rubber ball inside its structure. The ball detects the movements when the user drags the mouse over the mousepad, and the computer screen shows the response accordingly.

• Optical Mouse: This mouse uses a Light Emitting Diode (LED) to detect the movements. A traditional mouse has a rubber ball attached to its surface, which helps to detect the movements. But an optical mouse uses array of photodiodes to detect the movement. The main advantage is that it does not require a mouse pad, whereas the drawback is that if the mouse is wireless, then the battery consumption is huge.

• Laser Mouse: Laser Mouse is a type of Optical mouse that uses laser beams to detect movement. Just like an optical mouse, it also does not have a rolling rubber ball.

• Trackball Mouse: In this mouse, a large trackball is present at the centre. The user uses the trackball to perform the actions. Here, the whole mouse is not moved; only the trackball is moved. The disadvantage is that it is very expensive.

• Gaming Mouse: This type of mouse is used by gamers. Usually, traditional mice have two buttons, left and right. In the gaming mouse, there are many buttons which help the users to perform many actions.

Read about Other Components of a Computer:

• Touchpad
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• Printer