Most
word processors and
text editors allow you to choose between two
modes:
overwrite and
insert. In overwrite mode, every
character you type is displayed at the
cursor position. If a character is already at that position, it is replaced. In
insert mode, each character you type is inserted at the cursor position. This means that existing characters are moved over to make room for the new character, but they are not replaced.
Overwrite mode is sometimes called overtype mode.
