Insert and Overwrite mode

The first letter on the left of the string is either an `I' or an `O' indicating that the editor is in `insert' or `overwrite' mode respectively. These options are exercised with the Alt-I or the Alt-O command.

If the insert mode is set, characters will be inserted into the text at the place of the cursor whenever keys are pressed and characters that are already there are simply moved aside. In overstrike mode the effect of typing characters into the text will be to overwrite characters that are already there. See the chapter on basic operations p. .