What is an I-beam?
I-beam (or I-beam pointer) in computer terms refers to a specific type of mouse cursor shape used during text input.
Key Points
- Mouse Cursor: The I-beam is a type of mouse cursor.
- Text Input Shape: It appears as an “I” shape when typing or editing text.
- “I”-shaped Appearance: The cursor resembles the letter “I” in its vertical, narrow form.
- Other Meanings: In different fields, “I-beam” may refer to other concepts, such as a type of steel beam with an I-shaped cross-section.
Detailed Explanation
- Basic Mouse Cursor:
- Generally, the mouse cursor is an arrow that moves around the screen in response to your movements.
- I-beam Pointer:
- The I-beam pointer appears when you are typing or editing text.
- It is used to indicate where text will be inserted or edited within a text field.
- Abbreviation:
- When you see “I-beam” in a computer context, it is a shorthand for the I-beam pointer.
- Other Meanings:
- Outside of computing, “I-beam” can refer to an I-shaped steel beam used in construction and engineering.
Summary: In computer terminology, “I-beam” refers to the “I”-shaped cursor that appears during text input. It is important to note that “I-beam” may have different meanings in other contexts.