Friday, December 11, 2009

Overwrite vs. Override

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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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:

  1. Fulfill my annual CEU requirements for being a licensed architect.
  2. Financial status review.
  3. Get back to organizing my office.
  4. Mileage summary and other tax-related data.
  5. Design and build a dog house.
  6. Redesign mullenitover.com.
I've been reading alot of books lately and could/should share what I've learned. Some things I need to do weekly, like updating websites and financial reviews. Others can and should be done during this winter break. The rest are more long-term and could take several months to complete.


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