WRITE overwrites everything, so use with caution. Of course, it will work.

But never use it if you have already other automation data on the track. It will
kill it.

LATCH overwrites only values that you change during playback and leaves
them at the new value (for example: If you drag the volume slider down, it
will stay there).

TOUCH changes only the values that you change, but as you let go on the
controls, the sliders&knobs will jump back to their original position. This is
good if all is set&done, but you need to make minor adjustments. For
example in an already automated track, you want to boost the volume only
for some seconds to hilight an instrument. Use TOUCH, and after the
change, let go on the controls.

READ plays back automation. If you turn it OFF, automation is OFF (that's
why it's called OFF).