Re: How to display message persistently in echo area

[Kevin Rodgers]

Dan Davison wrote:
> When I evaluate (message "the message"), "the message" remains in the
> echo area until, for example, a key press in the current buffer.
>
> I'd like to be write a function that behaves like message, but for
> which the message does not disappear when I start typing. I want it to
> go away when I next do something that actually uses the echo area /
> minibuffer. What strategy do people suggest for achieving this aim? Or
> have I missed something that exists already?
>
> [The motivation is in ESS (Emacs Speaks Statistics) which has a nice
> function that reminds one of function arguments in the echo
> buffer. Unfortunately I've discovered that I can remember 3 function
> arguments for less than a couple of seconds.]

Look into how eldoc-mode does it:

        (add-hook 'post-command-hook 'eldoc-schedule-timer nil t)
        (add-hook 'pre-command-hook 'eldoc-pre-command-refresh-echo-area t))

--
Kevin Rodgers
Denver, Colorado, USA