I understand Modal is a webpage element that opens up separately from the main page so as to not disturb the flow. Is my understanding right?

I am trying to understand why it is called a Modal.

Is it short for modularity? As in, different Modals come together to make a page?

CodePudding user response：

"Modal" because it introduces a mode, as opposed to "modeless" which does not introduce a mode.

From MSDN:

Modal dialog boxes, which require the user to respond before continuing the program

Modeless dialog boxes, which stay on the screen and are available for use at any time but permit other user activities

Other links:

• Why is a modal/modeless dialog called modal/modeless?
• What is a Modal Dialog Window?
• Etymology of "modal dialogs" in computerese