Track "TODO" items when writing code

Question

Is there an easy way to create a list of "to-do" items on-the-fly when writing code? For example, suppose that I am writing a function write-this-now when I realize that I am also going to need to write a support function write-this-later.

(defun write-this-now ()
  (unless (write-this-later) ...

Instead of pausing to go create write-this-later, I charge ahead as if it already existed. However, I also want to make a note for myself that I still need to come back later and create it.

One solution that I have used in the past is to add a comment with the word TODO

(defun write-this-now ()
  (unless (write-this-later) nil))  ; TODO create function `write-this-later`

Now I can come back at some later time and search the file for occurences of the word TODO, and I will find this little note that I left for myself.

Are there any packages or extensions out there to facilitate easy creation and tracking of TODO items within a file or project?

Can I aggregate all of my TODO items from the current project into a single to-do list? Can I add bookmarks in my to-do list that link back to the locations where I wrote the TODO items?

Answer 1

You might want to try using org capture. When you initiate org-capture from your source file it will insert a TODO item into an org-mode file with a link to the relevant area in the source code. org-capture is smart enough to capture context-sensitive links--for instance, if you invoke it within a message in GNUS, it will capture a link directly to that message.

Answer 2

fixmee-mode offers highlighting of such notes and navigation.

It is easily installed from MELPA and supports varying priorities of todo items.

Answer 3

Whilst not entirely on-topic for emacs, I use the simple trick of creating the stub of the method/property/whatever when I hit that 'to do' moment, containing nothing more than an assertion that says "Write Me!" or similar.

The code then compiles cleanly, and tells me at runtime where my TODO items are.