Computer icon facts for kids
A computer icon is a small picture on a computer screen. It usually looks like a tiny drawing. Icons help you understand what a file, folder, program, or device is. They make using computers much easier, especially for new users.
Icons were first created in the 1970s at a place called Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Later, they became very popular with the Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows computers. You can also find icons on toolbars and in menus of programs like Microsoft Word. Almost all modern computer systems use icons to show information. This is part of a graphical user interface (GUI).
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What are Function Icons?
Most things you can do on a computer with a GUI are shown by a function icon. When you move your mouse cursor over an icon and click it, a program usually starts. Or, a specific action happens.
Creating a good icon is like making a tiny piece of art. The icon needs to be unique and easy to recognize. It also has to look good on many different computer screens. Designers often make several versions of an icon in different sizes. This ensures they look clear whether they are small or large. For example, an icon might need to be 16 pixels or 48 pixels big.
What are Document Icons?
When you look inside a folder on your computer, you often see all your documents as icons. Next to the icon, you usually see the file's name. For most files, these icons are general pictures. They show what kind of file it is or what program made it. For example, a text file might have a simple document icon.
For picture files, most modern computers show a small version of the actual picture. This small picture is called a "thumbnail." It helps you see what the image is without opening the file. Newer programs can also create these small picture previews for other file types. This includes files from word processor programs or presentation programs like PowerPoint.
How We Use Icons
Icons are used in many places on a computer. On your desktop, icons act as shortcuts. Clicking these icons quickly opens the file, folder, or program they represent. For example, on Microsoft Windows, you might see a trash can icon for the Recycle Bin.
Shortcut icons also appear in other places, like inside folders or in the start menu. They work the same way as on the desktop.
Many computer programs also use icons on buttons. When you click a button with an icon, something happens. For instance, a button with a picture of a printer usually lets you print your document. A button with a magnifying glass icon might let you search for something.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Icono (informática) para niños