Modes Introduction to the Unix Cluster. Usually Emacs determines which mode to use based on the file name or some text in the file. Fortran - mode for editing Fortran code. C - mode for editing C code. Minor modes are options which you may use to customize your editing environment.
All minor modes are independent of each other and the selected major mode.
Emacs inserts newlines automatically as necessary to prevent lines from becoming too long. Overwrite - causes ordinary printing characters to replace existing text instead of shoving it over. Abbrev - allows you to define abbreviations that automatically expand as you type them. See the GNU Emacs Manual for more detailed information. In it you can set default modes, associate commands with preferred keys, and other features designed to make life easier.