Most commands that operate on the text in the region have the word
@code{region} in their names.
- If Delete Selection mode is enabled, some commands delete the region
-when used while the mark is active. @xref{Mouse Commands}.
-
Some commands have a default behavior when the region is inactive,
but operate on the text in the region if the region is active. For
example, @kbd{M-$} (@code{ispell-word}) normally checks the spelling
region, change the variable @code{use-empty-active-region} to
@code{t}.
+@cindex Delete Selection mode
+@cindex mode, Delete Selection
+@findex delete-selection-mode
+ If you enable Delete Selection mode, a minor mode, then inserting
+text while the region is active causes the selected text to be deleted
+first. This also deactivates the mark. Many graphical applications
+follow this convention, but Emacs does not. To toggle Delete
+Selection mode on or off, type @kbd{M-x delete-selection-mode}.
+Another effect of this mode is that some keys, such as @key{DEL} and
+@kbd{C-d}, always kill the region if one exists.
+
@node Mark Ring
@section The Mark Ring