How can I add a delay to my Java program?

Question

I am writing a Poker program using Java, and I want to add a delay to my program to add some style to it. Just one problem: I don't know how to do that.

What I am looking for is kind of like Python with the "sleep()" function.

I have tried googling it, but the code I got was either extremely outdated or just straight up doesn't work. Can someone help me?

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/non-blocking-thread-sleep-on-jvm/ — fantaghirocco, May 16 '23 at 15:03
Duplicate of [*How do I make a delay in Java?*](https://stackoverflow.com/q/24104313/642706) and many others. — Basil Bourque, May 16 '23 at 15:07
Does this answer your question? [How do I make a delay in Java?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/24104313/how-do-i-make-a-delay-in-java) — Blue Robin, May 19 '23 at 17:26

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered May 16 '23 at 14:57

0

There's a static method sleep in the Thread class. However, if you're running a UI application, be careful not to block your UI thread.

answered May 16 '23 at 14:57

Jorn

20,612
18
79
126

Thank you! Just a question though: is it in the util package? – TimMcYeah May 16 '23 at 14:59
no, it's `java.lang.Thread`, so no import required: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/lang/Thread.html – Jorn May 16 '23 at 14:59

Mac.exe · Answer 2 · 2023-05-16T15:17:10.497

0

If your program is a console application you can just use Thread.Sleep(milliseconds)

Or if you want to use something simpler, use TimeUnit.SECONDS.sleep(seconds).

However if you are making a GUI application for Javax.Swing, using these will also stop the rendering of the GUI. So in that case you want to use a Swing Timer. For that you can use:

Timer timer = new Timer(5000, new ActionListener() {

    @Override
    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {            
        aDiffrentMethod();
    }
});
timer.setRepeats(false);
timer.start();

For more Information, see How to Use Swing Timers.

edited May 16 '23 at 15:17

answered May 16 '23 at 15:16

Mac.exe

1
5

Thank you for your answer! Just one thing; does the TimeUnit class come from a package or is it built-in like the Math class? – TimMcYeah May 16 '23 at 15:23
@JellyTheTitan Its in ```java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit```. Btw accept the answer you liked so it's easier to get the answer. – Mac.exe May 16 '23 at 15:44

How can I add a delay to my Java program?

2 Answers2