What's the difference between these two words?
I've seen them used somewhat interchangeably and have wondered if it's on purpose or because they sound alike. So, here's the definitions.
OVERWRITE
From the American Heritage Dictionary
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/overwrite
.o·ver·write
v. o·ver·wrote , o·ver·writ·ten , o·ver·writ·ing, o·ver·writes
v. tr.
1. To cover (something) with writing.
2. To write about in an artificial or an excessively elaborate, wordy style.
3. Computer Science
a. To destroy or lose (old data) by recording new data over it: accidentally overwrote an important document.
b. To record (new data) on top of already stored data, thus destroying the old data: overwrote an updated document on top of an earlier draft.
v. intr.
To write artificial, excessively elaborate, or wordy prose.
OVERRIDE
From the American Heritage Dictionary
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/override
o·ver·ride
tr.v. o·ver·rode (-rōd'), o·ver·rid·den (-rĭd'n), o·ver·rid·ing, o·ver·rides
1a. To ride across.
1b. To ride beyond.
1c. To prevail over; conquer: Budgetary concerns overrode all other considerations.
1d. To declare null and void; set aside: overrode the President's veto.
1e. To counteract the normal operation of (an automatic control).
2. To trample on.
3. To ride (a horse) too hard.
4a. To prevail over; conquer: Budgetary concerns overrode all other considerations.
4b. To declare null and void; set aside: overrode the President's veto.
4c. To counteract the normal operation of (an automatic control).
5. To extend over; overlap.
I think people have been writing "override" when they mean "overwrite" and this is especially true with "over ridden" and "over written." Of course, people in the computer industry are the worst culprits.
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Friday, December 11, 2009
Overwrite vs. Override
Posted by
Jollyville Chick
at
12:30 PM
3
comments
Labels: technical writer
Short term goals
Oh! I have so much to catch up on. I have five weeks before my next major project starts and I really need to set my goals. One goal is to do weekly updates of this blog, my LinkedIn page, and my Squidoo pages. My other short-term goals include:
- Fulfill my annual CEU requirements for being a licensed architect.
- Financial status review.
- Get back to organizing my office.
- Mileage summary and other tax-related data.
- Design and build a dog house.
- Redesign mullenitover.com.
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Posted by
Jollyville Chick
at
12:16 PM
0
comments
Labels: technical writer, web design, work
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