setTimeout Method

Evaluates an expression after a specified number of milliseconds has elapsed.

Syntax

iTimerID = window .setTimeout( vCode , iMilliSeconds [ , sLanguage ] )

Parameters

Return Value

Integer. Returns an identifier that cancels the evaluation with the clearTimeout method.

Remarks

In versions earlier than Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5, the first argument of setTimeout must be a string. Evaluation of the string is deferred until the specified interval elapses.

As of Internet Explorer 5, the first argument of setTimeout can be a string or a function pointer.

The specified expression or function is evaluated once. For repeated evaluation, use the setInterval method.

When you use the setTimeout method with Introduction to DHTML Behaviors , the value of vCode should be a function pointer to call a function within the HTML Component (HTC) file or a string to call a function in the primary document.

Examples

The following example uses the setTimeout method to evaluate a simple expression after one second has elapsed.

window. setTimeout ("alert('Hello, world')", 1000);

The following example uses the setTimeout method to evaluate a slightly more complex expression after one second has elapsed.

var sMsg = "Hello, world"; window. setTimeout ("alert(" + sMsg + ")", 1000);

This example uses the setTimeout method to hide a input type=button object after three seconds. If the user clicks the Count Down button and then counts to three, the Now You See Me button disappears.

<SCRIPT> function fnHide(oToHide){ window. setTimeout ("fnHide2(" + oToHide.id + ")", 3000); } function fnHide2(sID){ var o = eval(sID); o.style.display="none"; } </SCRIPT> <INPUT TYPE=button VALUE="Count Down" ID="oHideButton" onclick="fnHide(this)">

This example uses a function pointer to pass the data. In this case, the data is stored in a global variable because it cannot be passed directly. In the preceding example, the ID of the button is passed as a parameter to the function invoked by the setTimeout method. This is possible only when a string is passed as the first argument.

 

Standards Information

There is no public standard that applies to this method.

Applies To