What is a pointing and input device that enables users to navigate a screen and select items?

A mouse serves as a pointing and input device that allows users to effectively navigate a computer screen and select items. This tool operates by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to a surface, enabling users to move a pointer on the screen. By clicking buttons on the mouse, users can execute commands, open applications, and interact with different elements in a software environment. The design of the mouse, with its buttons and scroll wheel, is specifically intended to facilitate these interactions, making it a standard interface component for computer systems.

While other devices, such as a trackpad or joystick, also serve similar purposes for navigation and selection, the mouse is one of the most widely recognized and utilized input devices, particularly in desktop environments. The keyboard, although essential for typing and command input, does not function in the same way as a pointing device to navigate and select items on the screen.