Mixing
Timer on modeline: how to update modeline every second?
As part of my custom mode-line, I've included a feature that displays a countdown timer (timers are created using the chronos package) when it recognises that there is one running.
Works great, but the problem I have is that the mode-line only refreshes when I enter keypresses into Emacs. It will not update in the background (say I work in the browser for a bit but Emacs is still visible).
Is there any good way to force the mode-line to redisplay each second, so that the timer display stays up to date?
Screenshot of mode-line
Relevant code
This is appended to the format-mode-line list:
(if (>= (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")
"")
The my-timer-display decides whether or not to show the timer. I think this might be the best place to get Emacs to start forcing redisplays.
(defun my-timer-display ()
"Return the lowest timer, avoiding the --now-- time, in the chronos timers list"
(if (string= (chronos--message (nth 0 (chronos--sort-by-expiry))) chronos-now-message)
(my-print-timer 1)
(my-print-timer 0)))
The my-print-timer function referenced just returns the xth timer in the chronos timers list. I won't include it as I don't think it's relevant to the question.
mode-line timers
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
add a comment |
As part of my custom mode-line, I've included a feature that displays a countdown timer (timers are created using the chronos package) when it recognises that there is one running.
Works great, but the problem I have is that the mode-line only refreshes when I enter keypresses into Emacs. It will not update in the background (say I work in the browser for a bit but Emacs is still visible).
Is there any good way to force the mode-line to redisplay each second, so that the timer display stays up to date?
Screenshot of mode-line
Relevant code
This is appended to the format-mode-line list:
(if (>= (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")
"")
The my-timer-display decides whether or not to show the timer. I think this might be the best place to get Emacs to start forcing redisplays.
(defun my-timer-display ()
"Return the lowest timer, avoiding the --now-- time, in the chronos timers list"
(if (string= (chronos--message (nth 0 (chronos--sort-by-expiry))) chronos-now-message)
(my-print-timer 1)
(my-print-timer 0)))
The my-print-timer function referenced just returns the xth timer in the chronos timers list. I won't include it as I don't think it's relevant to the question.
mode-line timers
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
add a comment |
As part of my custom mode-line, I've included a feature that displays a countdown timer (timers are created using the chronos package) when it recognises that there is one running.
Works great, but the problem I have is that the mode-line only refreshes when I enter keypresses into Emacs. It will not update in the background (say I work in the browser for a bit but Emacs is still visible).
Is there any good way to force the mode-line to redisplay each second, so that the timer display stays up to date?
Screenshot of mode-line
Relevant code
This is appended to the format-mode-line list:
(if (>= (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")
"")
The my-timer-display decides whether or not to show the timer. I think this might be the best place to get Emacs to start forcing redisplays.
(defun my-timer-display ()
"Return the lowest timer, avoiding the --now-- time, in the chronos timers list"
(if (string= (chronos--message (nth 0 (chronos--sort-by-expiry))) chronos-now-message)
(my-print-timer 1)
(my-print-timer 0)))
The my-print-timer function referenced just returns the xth timer in the chronos timers list. I won't include it as I don't think it's relevant to the question.
mode-line timers
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
As part of my custom mode-line, I've included a feature that displays a countdown timer (timers are created using the chronos package) when it recognises that there is one running.
Works great, but the problem I have is that the mode-line only refreshes when I enter keypresses into Emacs. It will not update in the background (say I work in the browser for a bit but Emacs is still visible).
Is there any good way to force the mode-line to redisplay each second, so that the timer display stays up to date?
Screenshot of mode-line
Relevant code
This is appended to the format-mode-line list:
(if (>= (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")
"")
The my-timer-display decides whether or not to show the timer. I think this might be the best place to get Emacs to start forcing redisplays.
(defun my-timer-display ()
"Return the lowest timer, avoiding the --now-- time, in the chronos timers list"
(if (string= (chronos--message (nth 0 (chronos--sort-by-expiry))) chronos-now-message)
(my-print-timer 1)
(my-print-timer 0)))
The my-print-timer function referenced just returns the xth timer in the chronos timers list. I won't include it as I don't think it's relevant to the question.
mode-line timers
mode-line timers
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
edited Jan 2 at 15:26
Drew
47.3k462104
47.3k462104
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
asked Jan 2 at 2:02
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
485
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I try not to use standard timers that repeat because they can affect performance while typing or scrolling. An idle-timer only fires once each time an idle occurs. Therefore, I would suggest setting up a system that runs an idle timer while Emacs has focus and a standard timer when Emacs loses focus. Since that is outside the scope of the question, I will leave that to the O.P. to investigate ...
To try out the following example, start with emacs -Q, open two or more windows and evaluate the following two lines of code. E.g., place both lines of code in the *scratch* buffer and type M-x eval-buffer.
The extra set of parentheses used in the example as part of the mode-line-format is not necessary for this example, but is helpful to remind us that we can include additional components of the mode-line (as elements of the list) if so desired.
Note that this example uses the optional argument for force-mode-line-update to operate on all visible windows.
(setq-default mode-line-format '((:eval (format-time-string "%m/%d/%Y @ %1I:%M:%S %p"))))
(run-with-timer 0 1 #'(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for themode-line-formatlist.
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
add a comment |
Thanks to @lawlist for directing me to timer.el. A solution I implemented uses timer.el's run-at-time.
I replaced the format-line-list item with:
(if (< (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
""
(cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)
(run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")))
This means that if a timer is running, I ask Emacs to update the mode-line in another 0.5s. This sets a timer. To prevent timers building up if I trigger multiple mode-line refreshes within the 0.5s interval I delete any previous timers first (cancel-function-timers).
I found that if I used a 1s interval, it would sometimes skip a second if I was typing in Emacs. Reducing to 0.5s makes it act/feel smoother.
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
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active
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I try not to use standard timers that repeat because they can affect performance while typing or scrolling. An idle-timer only fires once each time an idle occurs. Therefore, I would suggest setting up a system that runs an idle timer while Emacs has focus and a standard timer when Emacs loses focus. Since that is outside the scope of the question, I will leave that to the O.P. to investigate ...
To try out the following example, start with emacs -Q, open two or more windows and evaluate the following two lines of code. E.g., place both lines of code in the *scratch* buffer and type M-x eval-buffer.
The extra set of parentheses used in the example as part of the mode-line-format is not necessary for this example, but is helpful to remind us that we can include additional components of the mode-line (as elements of the list) if so desired.
Note that this example uses the optional argument for force-mode-line-update to operate on all visible windows.
(setq-default mode-line-format '((:eval (format-time-string "%m/%d/%Y @ %1I:%M:%S %p"))))
(run-with-timer 0 1 #'(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for themode-line-formatlist.
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
add a comment |
I try not to use standard timers that repeat because they can affect performance while typing or scrolling. An idle-timer only fires once each time an idle occurs. Therefore, I would suggest setting up a system that runs an idle timer while Emacs has focus and a standard timer when Emacs loses focus. Since that is outside the scope of the question, I will leave that to the O.P. to investigate ...
To try out the following example, start with emacs -Q, open two or more windows and evaluate the following two lines of code. E.g., place both lines of code in the *scratch* buffer and type M-x eval-buffer.
The extra set of parentheses used in the example as part of the mode-line-format is not necessary for this example, but is helpful to remind us that we can include additional components of the mode-line (as elements of the list) if so desired.
Note that this example uses the optional argument for force-mode-line-update to operate on all visible windows.
(setq-default mode-line-format '((:eval (format-time-string "%m/%d/%Y @ %1I:%M:%S %p"))))
(run-with-timer 0 1 #'(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for themode-line-formatlist.
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
add a comment |
I try not to use standard timers that repeat because they can affect performance while typing or scrolling. An idle-timer only fires once each time an idle occurs. Therefore, I would suggest setting up a system that runs an idle timer while Emacs has focus and a standard timer when Emacs loses focus. Since that is outside the scope of the question, I will leave that to the O.P. to investigate ...
To try out the following example, start with emacs -Q, open two or more windows and evaluate the following two lines of code. E.g., place both lines of code in the *scratch* buffer and type M-x eval-buffer.
The extra set of parentheses used in the example as part of the mode-line-format is not necessary for this example, but is helpful to remind us that we can include additional components of the mode-line (as elements of the list) if so desired.
Note that this example uses the optional argument for force-mode-line-update to operate on all visible windows.
(setq-default mode-line-format '((:eval (format-time-string "%m/%d/%Y @ %1I:%M:%S %p"))))
(run-with-timer 0 1 #'(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
I try not to use standard timers that repeat because they can affect performance while typing or scrolling. An idle-timer only fires once each time an idle occurs. Therefore, I would suggest setting up a system that runs an idle timer while Emacs has focus and a standard timer when Emacs loses focus. Since that is outside the scope of the question, I will leave that to the O.P. to investigate ...
To try out the following example, start with emacs -Q, open two or more windows and evaluate the following two lines of code. E.g., place both lines of code in the *scratch* buffer and type M-x eval-buffer.
The extra set of parentheses used in the example as part of the mode-line-format is not necessary for this example, but is helpful to remind us that we can include additional components of the mode-line (as elements of the list) if so desired.
Note that this example uses the optional argument for force-mode-line-update to operate on all visible windows.
(setq-default mode-line-format '((:eval (format-time-string "%m/%d/%Y @ %1I:%M:%S %p"))))
(run-with-timer 0 1 #'(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
answered Jan 2 at 2:34
lawlistlawlist
10.5k11062
10.5k11062
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for themode-line-formatlist.
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
add a comment |
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for themode-line-formatlist.
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for the
mode-line-format list.– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
After learning about timer.el from this answer decided to implement a solution like so: ` (progn` ` (cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)` ` (run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))` ` (list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| "))` This fits in the true condition for the
mode-line-format list.– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 4:58
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
Unsure on stackoverflow ettiquite. Should I mark this as the answer, or should I create my own detailed answer and give credit to this answer?
– jamesmaj
Jan 2 at 5:06
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
I will not be saddened if you write-up your own alternative answer. If you think that the question title and/or body need to be clarified so that this thread helps future forum searches, then please feel free to do so.
– lawlist
Jan 2 at 5:07
add a comment |
Thanks to @lawlist for directing me to timer.el. A solution I implemented uses timer.el's run-at-time.
I replaced the format-line-list item with:
(if (< (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
""
(cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)
(run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")))
This means that if a timer is running, I ask Emacs to update the mode-line in another 0.5s. This sets a timer. To prevent timers building up if I trigger multiple mode-line refreshes within the 0.5s interval I delete any previous timers first (cancel-function-timers).
I found that if I used a 1s interval, it would sometimes skip a second if I was typing in Emacs. Reducing to 0.5s makes it act/feel smoother.
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
add a comment |
Thanks to @lawlist for directing me to timer.el. A solution I implemented uses timer.el's run-at-time.
I replaced the format-line-list item with:
(if (< (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
""
(cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)
(run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")))
This means that if a timer is running, I ask Emacs to update the mode-line in another 0.5s. This sets a timer. To prevent timers building up if I trigger multiple mode-line refreshes within the 0.5s interval I delete any previous timers first (cancel-function-timers).
I found that if I used a 1s interval, it would sometimes skip a second if I was typing in Emacs. Reducing to 0.5s makes it act/feel smoother.
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
add a comment |
Thanks to @lawlist for directing me to timer.el. A solution I implemented uses timer.el's run-at-time.
I replaced the format-line-list item with:
(if (< (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
""
(cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)
(run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")))
This means that if a timer is running, I ask Emacs to update the mode-line in another 0.5s. This sets a timer. To prevent timers building up if I trigger multiple mode-line refreshes within the 0.5s interval I delete any previous timers first (cancel-function-timers).
I found that if I used a 1s interval, it would sometimes skip a second if I was typing in Emacs. Reducing to 0.5s makes it act/feel smoother.
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
Thanks to @lawlist for directing me to timer.el. A solution I implemented uses timer.el's run-at-time.
I replaced the format-line-list item with:
(if (< (length chronos--timers-list) 2)
""
(cancel-function-timers 'force-mode-line-update)
(run-at-time 0.5 nil '(lambda () (force-mode-line-update t)))
(list " timer|" (propertize (my-timer-display) 'face 'my-red-face) "| ")))
This means that if a timer is running, I ask Emacs to update the mode-line in another 0.5s. This sets a timer. To prevent timers building up if I trigger multiple mode-line refreshes within the 0.5s interval I delete any previous timers first (cancel-function-timers).
I found that if I used a 1s interval, it would sometimes skip a second if I was typing in Emacs. Reducing to 0.5s makes it act/feel smoother.
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
edited Jan 2 at 15:28
Drew
47.3k462104
47.3k462104
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
answered Jan 2 at 5:25
jamesmajjamesmaj
485
485
add a comment |
add a comment |
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