Subject: Request for decluttering capability on mode-line keywords

From: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2022 15:08:52 +0200 (CEST)

The mode-line is a very important section of a window.  But can be easily cluttered withnames of minor-modes, as well as by programming and hypertext language major-mode names.

For instance, loading an elisp file shows "Emacs-Lisp" in the made-line.  When in *scratch* the string "Lisp Interaction" shows up.  Because I use bold large font, it is easy for the mode-line to get cluttered.

As is often the case, emacs users hardly change the mode associated with the corresponding programming or hypertext language major-mode.  Most often, users work with minor-modes, meaning that people are aware that lisp programs use emacs-lisp major-mode, and C users are aware they are using c major-mode (although I find "C/*l" quite unnecessary).
Emacs package designers have the ability to display a mode-line name with the keyword-arg `:lighter'.  But the user has no way to remove the lighter from the mode-line.  Would like to request the capability for users to remove :lighter keywords, if they wish.  This would be particularly useful for those like me who usually have a dense list showing up in their mode-line.