<P> Cursor is Latin for' runner .' A cursor is the name given to the transparent slide engraved with a hairline that is used for marking a point on a slide rule . The term was then transferred to computers through analogy . </P> <P> In most command - line interfaces or text editors, the text cursor, also known as a caret, is an underscore, a solid rectangle, or a vertical line, which may be flashing or steady, indicating where text will be placed when entered (the insertion point). In text mode displays, it was not possible to show a vertical bar between characters to show where the new text would be inserted, so an underscore or block cursor was used instead . In situations where a block was used, the block was usually created by inverting the pixels of the character using the boolean math exclusive or function . On text editors and word processors of modern design on bitmapped displays, the vertical bar is typically used instead . </P> <P> In a typical text editing application, the cursor can be moved by pressing various keys . These include the four arrow keys, the Page Up and Page Down keys, the Home key, the End key, and various key combinations involving a modifier key such as the Control key . The position of the cursor also may be changed by moving the mouse pointer to a different location in the document and clicking . </P> <P> The blinking of the text cursor is usually temporarily suspended when it is being moved; otherwise, the cursor may change position when it is not visible, making its location difficult to follow . </P>

The flashing line or arrow in a computer program is called the