Name
setTimeout( ) — NN 2 IE 3 DOM n/a
Synopsis
setTimeout(expression,
msecs
[, args
|
language
])
Starts a one-time timer that invokes the
expression
after a delay of
msecs
. Other scripts can run while the
browser waits to invoke the expression
.
This method returns an ID that should be saved as a global variable
and be available as the parameter for the clearTimeout( )
method to stop the timer before it expires and invokes
the expression
.
Navigator and Internet Explorer diverge in the use of the third
parameter. Navigator lets you pass one or more parameters (as a
comma-delimited list in a string) for the function acting as the
expression
parameter. Internet Explorer
lets you specify the scripting language of the
expression
(if it is not the default
JavaScript).
The setTimeout( )
method can be made to behave
like the setInterval( )
method in some
constructions. If you place a setTimeout( )
method
as the last statement of a function and direct the method to invoke
the very same function, you can create looping execution with a timed
delay between executions. This is how earlier browsers (before the
setInterval( )
method was available) scripted
repetitive tasks, such as displaying updated digital clock displays
in form fields or the status bar.
Returned Value
Integer acting as an identifier.
Parameters
-
expression
Any script expression as a string, but most commonly a function. The function name with parentheses is placed inside the parameter’s quoted string.
-
msecs
The time in milliseconds ...
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