Make my program wait for a second before performing an action

Question

I have something like :

 private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            Hide();
            string ngdx = "*ngdx";
            string atdx = "*atdx";

            for (;;)
            {
                try
                {

                    string[] convertngdx = Directory.GetFiles("D:\\folder", ngdx);
                    string[] convertatdx = Directory.GetFiles("D:\\folder", atdx);


                    foreach (var convertngd in convertngdx)
                    {
                        File.Move(convertngd, Path.ChangeExtension(convertngd, ".ngd"));
                    }
                    foreach (var convertatd in convertatdx)
                    {
                        File.Move(convertatd, Path.ChangeExtension(convertatd, ".atd"));
                    }
                }
                catch
                {

                }
            }
        }

I start my app and every time a .ngdx and .atdx file is send to the folder it automatically converts it to .ngd and .atd.

My problem is that it instantly converts them , and I want it to wait for a second before converting them.

I used System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000); but it doesn't quite seem to work,I think because when I run my app the System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000); is called and then after a second it is never called again.

The idea is every time a new .ngdx or .atdx is send to the folder I want it to wait for a second before converting them.

Sitting in a loop like this is going to tie up the UI thread (this looks like a WinForms application...). Have you considered using a [`FileSystemWatcher`](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.io.filesystemwatcher(v=vs.110).aspx)? ([example](http://stackoverflow.com/a/721743/39709)) — Richard Ev, Jul 12 '16 at 13:33
I'd use a timer that is started when the method is called and the conversion is done in the timer's callback/elapsed event. The timer won't block the UI thread. — keyboardP, Jul 12 '16 at 13:36
A debugger breakpoint is an excellent way to produce delays that are **exactly** as long as you need them to be. — Hans Passant, Jul 12 '16 at 14:05
@RichardEverett I did not know about the `FileSystemWatcher` thank you a lot for telling me about it :) you can tag it as an answer so I can close this question :) — John Pietrar, Jul 13 '16 at 07:06

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

3

As an alternative to using an infinite for loop (which will tie up the UI thread) you could use a FileSystemWatcher. (example)

edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

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answered Jul 13 '16 at 12:02

Richard Ev

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Make my program wait for a second before performing an action

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