jQuery/JS infinite timed loop

Question

I am trying to create a series of clicks on different elements on screen at different times. I can easily do this using the setTimeout function, but I need to make this an infinite loop!?

Here is a snippet of how I am currently handling the code.

setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 1000);
setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 5000);
setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_2').trigger('click');}, 5500);

Any ideas on how I can make this work?

EDIT: Let me a little more clear. I am trying to run the set of functions in the same order over and over. The setInterval worked perfectly. I am super sorry for any confusion.

   setInterval ( "flips ()", 12000 );


function flips (){
    setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 1000);
    setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 5000);
    setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_2').trigger('click');}, 5500);

    }

You can probably find your answer here: http://stackoverflow.com/q/1224463/1031900 — Ofir Farchy, Nov 30 '11 at 18:47
It's not entirely clear what you're trying to do. I've assumed you want to do one click at a time, some others have assumed you want independent timers running all over the place... :-) — T.J. Crowder, Nov 30 '11 at 18:48
Note that you should change your code to just `setInterval(flips,12000)`; no reason to use the string form (which creates a function wrapper around your code). — Phrogz, Nov 30 '11 at 20:54

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:44

3

Just call setTimeout from within your function.

setTimeout(callMe, 1000);

function callMe() {
    jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');
    setTimeout(callMe, 1000);
}

You could also use setInterval but I prefer doing it this way because it will be called 1000ms from the last run, not every 1000ms regardless of how long it takes to run (if the process is synchronous).

answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:44

BNL

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If you'll notice, the various functions and delays vary. – Phrogz Nov 30 '11 at 18:47
My example was just for one of the items. He can fill in the rest. – BNL Nov 30 '11 at 18:49

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

3

clicky()

function clicky() {
   setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 1000);
   setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_1').trigger('click');}, 5000);
   setTimeout(function () {jQuery('.CR_2').trigger('click');clicky()}, 5500);
}

answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

Diodeus - James MacFarlane

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

1

Why not use setInterval instead?

answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

Darek Rossman

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Because the OP wants to call different functions and with different intervals each time. – Phrogz Nov 30 '11 at 18:48
@Phrogz So just use setInterval three times. – BNL Nov 30 '11 at 18:59

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

1

i think you should use setInterval instead of setTimeout

answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:45

MilkyWayJoe

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The OP wants to call different functions and with different intervals each time. – Phrogz Nov 30 '11 at 18:49

Phrogz · Answer 5 · 2011-11-30T20:59:54.237

1

var delayedFunctions = [
  [1000,function(){ ... }],
  [5000,function(){ ... }],
  [5500,function(){ ... }]
];

var fIndex = 0;
function runDelayedFunctions(){
  var details = delayedFunctions[fIndex];
  setTimeout( function(){
    details[1].call(this);
    if (++fIndex >= delayedFunctions.length) fIndex=0;
    runDelayedFunctions();
  }, details[0] );
};
runDelayedFunctions();

edited Nov 30 '11 at 20:59

answered Nov 30 '11 at 18:47

Phrogz

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Why make something simple so complicated? – BNL Nov 30 '11 at 18:52
@BNL a) It's not that complicated, IMO; b) based on my understanding (and TJCrowder's) of the original question, this is one of the simpler ways to accomplish it **correctly**. Running _n_ concurrent `setInterval` loops (as your answer basically does) is fragile. For example, if the first function consistently runs longer than the others, your answer will eventually break, with the calling order getting thrown out of whack. – Phrogz Nov 30 '11 at 20:58

jQuery/JS infinite timed loop

5 Answers5