buttons

Buttons are small elements used to initiate actions in devices and software, and to fasten garments and other objects. The term covers physical fasteners as well as interactive controls in computer interfaces.

In clothing, a button is usually a small disk or shank attached by thread. Materials include plastic, metal, shell, wood, and glass. Buttons fasten through buttonholes or loops; variants include sew-on, shank, and toggle buttons. Other fastening devices such as snaps and magnetic clasps are often grouped with buttons.

In computing, a button is a graphical or physical control users press to trigger an action, such as submitting a form, starting a process, or dismissing a dialog. A button typically shows a label or icon and has states such as enabled, disabled, focused, and pressed. Accessibility and keyboard support are common design considerations.

History: Buttons have been used as clothing fasteners since ancient times and became common in Europe in the Middle Ages, evolving from decorative to functional. Mass production began in the 19th century with mechanized sewing and later plastics, which expanded color, size, and style options.

Today, buttons appear in machinery, appliances, and consumer electronics as momentary controls, and in software as core interface elements. The concept also includes related mechanisms such as snaps, hooks and eyes, and toggles, which provide alternative means of operation or fastening.