ActionScript® 3.0 Reference for the Adobe® Flash® Platform
Home  |  Hide Packages and Classes List |  Packages  |  Classes  |  What's New  |  Index  |  Appendixes

Language Reference only
Filters: AIR 32.0 and earlier, Flash Player 32.0 and earlier, Flash Lite 4
Flex 4.6 and earlier, Flash Pro CS6 and earlier
Hide Filters
flash.utils 

Timer  - AS3

Packagesx

Top Level
adobe.utils
air.desktop
air.net
air.update
air.update.events
coldfusion.air
coldfusion.air.errors
coldfusion.air.events
coldfusion.service
coldfusion.service.events
coldfusion.service.mxml
com.adobe.acm.solutions.authoring.domain.extensions
com.adobe.acm.solutions.ccr.domain.extensions
com.adobe.consulting.pst.vo
com.adobe.dct.component
com.adobe.dct.component.datadictionary
com.adobe.dct.component.datadictionaryElement
com.adobe.dct.component.dataElementsPanel
com.adobe.dct.component.toolbars
com.adobe.dct.event
com.adobe.dct.exp
com.adobe.dct.model
com.adobe.dct.service
com.adobe.dct.service.provider
com.adobe.dct.transfer
com.adobe.dct.util
com.adobe.dct.view
com.adobe.ep.taskmanagement.domain
com.adobe.ep.taskmanagement.event
com.adobe.ep.taskmanagement.filter
com.adobe.ep.taskmanagement.services
com.adobe.ep.taskmanagement.util
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.domain
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.domain.events
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.domain.renderers
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.skin
com.adobe.ep.ux.attachmentlist.skin.renderers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.event
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.factory
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.handlers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.managers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.model.asset
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.model.preview
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.model.relation
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.model.search
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.model.toolbar
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.search
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.load
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.permissions
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.preview
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.providers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.query
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.relationships
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.search.lccontent
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.services.version
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.activate
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.grid
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.grid.hover
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.grid.hover.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.grid.renderers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.relationships
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.review
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.search.renderers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.searchpod
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.toolbar
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.toolbar.controlRenderers
com.adobe.ep.ux.content.view.components.version
com.adobe.ep.ux.documentsubmit.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.documentsubmit.domain
com.adobe.ep.ux.documentsubmit.skin
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskaction.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskaction.domain
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskaction.domain.events
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskaction.skin
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskdetails.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskdetails.domain
com.adobe.ep.ux.taskdetails.skin
com.adobe.ep.ux.tasklist.component
com.adobe.ep.ux.tasklist.domain
com.adobe.ep.ux.tasklist.skin
com.adobe.ep.ux.webdocumentviewer.domain
com.adobe.exm.expression
com.adobe.exm.expression.error
com.adobe.exm.expression.event
com.adobe.exm.expression.impl
com.adobe.fiber.runtime.lib
com.adobe.fiber.services
com.adobe.fiber.services.wrapper
com.adobe.fiber.styles
com.adobe.fiber.util
com.adobe.fiber.valueobjects
com.adobe.gravity.binding
com.adobe.gravity.context
com.adobe.gravity.flex.bundleloader
com.adobe.gravity.flex.progress
com.adobe.gravity.flex.serviceloader
com.adobe.gravity.framework
com.adobe.gravity.init
com.adobe.gravity.service.bundleloader
com.adobe.gravity.service.logging
com.adobe.gravity.service.manifest
com.adobe.gravity.service.progress
com.adobe.gravity.tracker
com.adobe.gravity.ui
com.adobe.gravity.utility
com.adobe.gravity.utility.async
com.adobe.gravity.utility.error
com.adobe.gravity.utility.events
com.adobe.gravity.utility.factory
com.adobe.gravity.utility.flex.async
com.adobe.gravity.utility.logging
com.adobe.gravity.utility.message
com.adobe.gravity.utility.sequence
com.adobe.gravity.utility.url
com.adobe.guides.control
com.adobe.guides.domain
com.adobe.guides.i18n
com.adobe.guides.spark.components.skins
com.adobe.guides.spark.components.skins.mx
com.adobe.guides.spark.headers.components
com.adobe.guides.spark.headers.skins
com.adobe.guides.spark.layouts.components
com.adobe.guides.spark.layouts.skins
com.adobe.guides.spark.navigators.components
com.adobe.guides.spark.navigators.renderers
com.adobe.guides.spark.navigators.skins
com.adobe.guides.spark.util
com.adobe.guides.spark.wrappers.components
com.adobe.guides.spark.wrappers.skins
com.adobe.guides.submit
com.adobe.icc.dc.domain
com.adobe.icc.dc.domain.factory
com.adobe.icc.editors.events
com.adobe.icc.editors.handlers
com.adobe.icc.editors.managers
com.adobe.icc.editors.model
com.adobe.icc.editors.model.config
com.adobe.icc.editors.model.el
com.adobe.icc.editors.model.el.operands
com.adobe.icc.editors.model.el.operators
com.adobe.icc.enum
com.adobe.icc.external.dc
com.adobe.icc.obj
com.adobe.icc.services
com.adobe.icc.services.category
com.adobe.icc.services.config
com.adobe.icc.services.download
com.adobe.icc.services.export
com.adobe.icc.services.external
com.adobe.icc.services.formbridge
com.adobe.icc.services.fragmentlayout
com.adobe.icc.services.layout
com.adobe.icc.services.letter
com.adobe.icc.services.locator
com.adobe.icc.services.module
com.adobe.icc.services.render
com.adobe.icc.services.submit
com.adobe.icc.services.user
com.adobe.icc.token
com.adobe.icc.vo
com.adobe.icc.vo.render
com.adobe.icomm.assetplacement.controller
com.adobe.icomm.assetplacement.controller.utils
com.adobe.icomm.assetplacement.data
com.adobe.icomm.assetplacement.model
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.event
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.handler
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.managers
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.model
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.model.cms
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.service
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.service.search
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.service.search.cms
com.adobe.livecycle.assetmanager.client.utils
com.adobe.livecycle.content
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model.constant
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model.document
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model.participant
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model.reminder
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.model.stage
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.service
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.service.core
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.service.core.delegate
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.service.process
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.service.process.delegate
com.adobe.livecycle.rca.token
com.adobe.livecycle.ria.security.api
com.adobe.livecycle.ria.security.service
com.adobe.mosaic.layouts
com.adobe.mosaic.layouts.dragAndDrop
com.adobe.mosaic.layouts.interfaces
com.adobe.mosaic.mxml
com.adobe.mosaic.om.constants
com.adobe.mosaic.om.events
com.adobe.mosaic.om.impl
com.adobe.mosaic.om.interfaces
com.adobe.mosaic.skinning
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.editors
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.optionMenu
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.scrollableMenu
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.scrollableMenu.skins
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.tabLayout
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.tabLayout.events
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.tabLayout.layouts
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.tabLayout.skins
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.text
com.adobe.mosaic.sparklib.util
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.actionbar
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.common
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.events
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.fragment
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.letter
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.letter.data
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.preview
com.adobe.solutions.acm.authoring.presentation.rte
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.contentcapture
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.contentcapture.events
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.contentcapture.preview
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.datacapture
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.datacapture.renderers
com.adobe.solutions.acm.ccr.presentation.pdf
com.adobe.solutions.exm
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.components.controls
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.components.toolbars
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.domain
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.domain.expression
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.domain.impl
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.domain.method
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.domain.variable
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.enum
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.events
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.model
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.renderer
com.adobe.solutions.exm.authoring.view
com.adobe.solutions.exm.expression
com.adobe.solutions.exm.impl
com.adobe.solutions.exm.impl.method
com.adobe.solutions.exm.method
com.adobe.solutions.exm.mock
com.adobe.solutions.exm.mock.method
com.adobe.solutions.exm.runtime
com.adobe.solutions.exm.runtime.impl
com.adobe.solutions.exm.variable
com.adobe.solutions.prm.constant
com.adobe.solutions.prm.domain
com.adobe.solutions.prm.domain.factory
com.adobe.solutions.prm.domain.impl
com.adobe.solutions.prm.domain.manager
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.asset
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.constant
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.document
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.event
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.file
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.project
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.team
com.adobe.solutions.prm.presentation.util
com.adobe.solutions.prm.service
com.adobe.solutions.prm.services.impl
com.adobe.solutions.prm.vo
com.adobe.solutions.rca.constant
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain.common
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain.factory
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain.impl
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain.impl.manager
com.adobe.solutions.rca.domain.manager
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.comment
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.constant
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.event
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.gantt
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.gantt.ruler
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.template
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.template.audit
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.template.definition
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.template.documents
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.template.stages
com.adobe.solutions.rca.presentation.util
com.adobe.solutions.rca.service
com.adobe.solutions.rca.services.impl
com.adobe.solutions.rca.vo
com.adobe.solutions.rca.vo.um
com.adobe.viewsource
fl.accessibility
fl.containers
fl.controls
fl.controls.dataGridClasses
fl.controls.listClasses
fl.controls.progressBarClasses
fl.core
fl.data
fl.display
fl.events
fl.ik
fl.lang
fl.livepreview
fl.managers
fl.motion
fl.motion.easing
fl.rsl
fl.text
fl.transitions
fl.transitions.easing
fl.video
flash.accessibility
flash.concurrent
flash.crypto
flash.data
flash.desktop
flash.display
flash.display3D
flash.display3D.textures
flash.errors
flash.events
flash.external
flash.filesystem
flash.filters
flash.geom
flash.globalization
flash.html
flash.media
flash.net
flash.net.dns
flash.net.drm
flash.notifications
flash.permissions
flash.printing
flash.profiler
flash.sampler
flash.security
flash.sensors
flash.system
flash.text
flash.text.engine
flash.text.ime
flash.ui
flash.utils
flash.xml
flashx.textLayout
flashx.textLayout.compose
flashx.textLayout.container
flashx.textLayout.conversion
flashx.textLayout.edit
flashx.textLayout.elements
flashx.textLayout.events
flashx.textLayout.factory
flashx.textLayout.formats
flashx.textLayout.operations
flashx.textLayout.utils
flashx.undo
ga.controls
ga.layouts
ga.model
ga.uiComponents
ga.util
ga.views
ga.wrappers
lc.foundation
lc.foundation.domain
lc.foundation.events
lc.foundation.ui
lc.foundation.util
lc.preloader
lc.procmgmt
lc.procmgmt.commands
lc.procmgmt.domain
lc.procmgmt.events
lc.procmgmt.formbridge
lc.procmgmt.impl
lc.procmgmt.ui.attachments
lc.procmgmt.ui.controls
lc.procmgmt.ui.controls.card
lc.procmgmt.ui.controls.renderer
lc.procmgmt.ui.help
lc.procmgmt.ui.layout
lc.procmgmt.ui.presentationmodel
lc.procmgmt.ui.process
lc.procmgmt.ui.search
lc.procmgmt.ui.startpoint
lc.procmgmt.ui.task
lc.procmgmt.ui.task.form
lc.procmgmt.ui.task.form.commands
lc.procmgmt.ui.tracking
mx.accessibility
mx.automation
mx.automation.air
mx.automation.delegates
mx.automation.delegates.advancedDataGrid
mx.automation.delegates.charts
mx.automation.delegates.containers
mx.automation.delegates.controls
mx.automation.delegates.controls.dataGridClasses
mx.automation.delegates.controls.fileSystemClasses
mx.automation.delegates.core
mx.automation.delegates.flashflexkit
mx.automation.events
mx.binding
mx.binding.utils
mx.charts
mx.charts.chartClasses
mx.charts.effects
mx.charts.effects.effectClasses
mx.charts.events
mx.charts.renderers
mx.charts.series
mx.charts.series.items
mx.charts.series.renderData
mx.charts.styles
mx.collections
mx.collections.errors
mx.containers
mx.containers.accordionClasses
mx.containers.dividedBoxClasses
mx.containers.errors
mx.containers.utilityClasses
mx.controls
mx.controls.advancedDataGridClasses
mx.controls.dataGridClasses
mx.controls.listClasses
mx.controls.menuClasses
mx.controls.olapDataGridClasses
mx.controls.scrollClasses
mx.controls.sliderClasses
mx.controls.textClasses
mx.controls.treeClasses
mx.controls.videoClasses
mx.core
mx.core.windowClasses
mx.data
mx.data.crypto
mx.data.errors
mx.data.events
mx.data.messages
mx.data.mxml
mx.data.offline.errors
mx.data.utils
mx.effects
mx.effects.easing
mx.effects.effectClasses
mx.events
mx.filters
mx.flash
mx.formatters
mx.geom
mx.graphics
mx.graphics.codec
mx.graphics.shaderClasses
mx.logging
mx.logging.errors
mx.logging.targets
mx.managers
mx.messaging
mx.messaging.channels
mx.messaging.config
mx.messaging.errors
mx.messaging.events
mx.messaging.management
mx.messaging.messages
mx.modules
mx.netmon
mx.olap
mx.olap.aggregators
mx.preloaders
mx.printing
mx.resources
mx.rpc
mx.rpc.events
mx.rpc.http
mx.rpc.http.mxml
mx.rpc.livecycle
mx.rpc.mxml
mx.rpc.remoting
mx.rpc.remoting.mxml
mx.rpc.soap
mx.rpc.soap.mxml
mx.rpc.wsdl
mx.rpc.xml
mx.skins
mx.skins.halo
mx.skins.spark
mx.skins.wireframe
mx.skins.wireframe.windowChrome
mx.states
mx.styles
mx.utils
mx.validators
org.osmf.containers
org.osmf.display
org.osmf.elements
org.osmf.events
org.osmf.layout
org.osmf.logging
org.osmf.media
org.osmf.metadata
org.osmf.net
org.osmf.net.dvr
org.osmf.net.httpstreaming
org.osmf.net.metrics
org.osmf.net.qos
org.osmf.net.rtmpstreaming
org.osmf.net.rules
org.osmf.traits
org.osmf.utils
spark.accessibility
spark.automation.delegates
spark.automation.delegates.components
spark.automation.delegates.components.gridClasses
spark.automation.delegates.components.mediaClasses
spark.automation.delegates.components.supportClasses
spark.automation.delegates.skins.spark
spark.automation.events
spark.collections
spark.components
spark.components.calendarClasses
spark.components.gridClasses
spark.components.mediaClasses
spark.components.supportClasses
spark.components.windowClasses
spark.core
spark.effects
spark.effects.animation
spark.effects.easing
spark.effects.interpolation
spark.effects.supportClasses
spark.events
spark.filters
spark.formatters
spark.formatters.supportClasses
spark.globalization
spark.globalization.supportClasses
spark.layouts
spark.layouts.supportClasses
spark.managers
spark.modules
spark.preloaders
spark.primitives
spark.primitives.supportClasses
spark.skins
spark.skins.mobile
spark.skins.mobile.supportClasses
spark.skins.spark
spark.skins.spark.mediaClasses.fullScreen
spark.skins.spark.mediaClasses.normal
spark.skins.spark.windowChrome
spark.skins.wireframe
spark.skins.wireframe.mediaClasses
spark.skins.wireframe.mediaClasses.fullScreen
spark.transitions
spark.utils
spark.validators
spark.validators.supportClasses
xd.core.axm.enterprise.view.components
xd.core.axm.enterprise.view.skins
xd.core.axm.view.components
xd.core.axm.view.components.support

Language Elements

Global Constants
Global Functions
Operators
Statements, Keywords & Directives
Special Types

Appendixes

What's New
Compiler Errors
Compiler Warnings
Run-Time Errors
Migrating to ActionScript 3
Supported Character Sets
MXML Only Tags
Motion XML Elements
Timed Text Tags
List of deprecated elements
Accessibility Implementation Constants
How to Use ActionScript Examples
Legal notices
Packageflash.utils
Classpublic class Timer
InheritanceTimer Inheritance EventDispatcher Inheritance Object

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

The Timer class is the interface to timers, which let you run code on a specified time sequence. Use the start() method to start a timer. Add an event listener for the timer event to set up code to be run on the timer interval.

You can create Timer objects to run once or repeat at specified intervals to execute code on a schedule. Depending on the SWF file's framerate or the runtime environment (available memory and other factors), the runtime may dispatch events at slightly offset intervals. For example, if a SWF file is set to play at 10 frames per second (fps), which is 100 millisecond intervals, but your timer is set to fire an event at 80 milliseconds, the event will be dispatched close to the 100 millisecond interval. Memory-intensive scripts may also offset the events.

View the examples

More examples

Learn more



Public Properties
 PropertyDefined By
 Inheritedconstructor : Object
A reference to the class object or constructor function for a given object instance.
Object
  currentCount : int
[read-only] The total number of times the timer has fired since it started at zero.
Timer
  delay : Number
The delay, in milliseconds, between timer events.
Timer
  repeatCount : int
The total number of times the timer is set to run.
Timer
  running : Boolean
[read-only] The timer's current state; true if the timer is running, otherwise false.
Timer
Public Methods
 MethodDefined By
  
Timer(delay:Number, repeatCount:int = 0)
Constructs a new Timer object with the specified delay and repeatCount states.
Timer
 Inherited
addEventListener(type:String, listener:Function, useCapture:Boolean = false, priority:int = 0, useWeakReference:Boolean = false):void
Registers an event listener object with an EventDispatcher object so that the listener receives notification of an event.
EventDispatcher
 Inherited
Dispatches an event into the event flow.
EventDispatcher
 Inherited
Checks whether the EventDispatcher object has any listeners registered for a specific type of event.
EventDispatcher
 Inherited
Indicates whether an object has a specified property defined.
Object
 Inherited
Indicates whether an instance of the Object class is in the prototype chain of the object specified as the parameter.
Object
 Inherited
Indicates whether the specified property exists and is enumerable.
Object
 Inherited
removeEventListener(type:String, listener:Function, useCapture:Boolean = false):void
Removes a listener from the EventDispatcher object.
EventDispatcher
  
Stops the timer, if it is running, and sets the currentCount property back to 0, like the reset button of a stopwatch.
Timer
 Inherited
Sets the availability of a dynamic property for loop operations.
Object
  
Starts the timer, if it is not already running.
Timer
  
Stops the timer.
Timer
 Inherited
Returns the string representation of this object, formatted according to locale-specific conventions.
Object
 Inherited
Returns the string representation of the specified object.
Object
 Inherited
Returns the primitive value of the specified object.
Object
 Inherited
Checks whether an event listener is registered with this EventDispatcher object or any of its ancestors for the specified event type.
EventDispatcher
Events
 Event Summary Defined By
 Inherited[broadcast event] Dispatched when the Flash Player or AIR application gains operating system focus and becomes active.EventDispatcher
 Inherited[broadcast event] Dispatched when the Flash Player or AIR application operating loses system focus and is becoming inactive.EventDispatcher
  Dispatched whenever a Timer object reaches an interval specified according to the Timer.delay property.Timer
  Dispatched whenever it has completed the number of requests set by Timer.repeatCount.Timer
Property Detail

currentCount

property
currentCount:int  [read-only]

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

The total number of times the timer has fired since it started at zero. If the timer has been reset, only the fires since the reset are counted.



Implementation
    public function get currentCount():int

delay

property 
delay:Number

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

The delay, in milliseconds, between timer events. If you set the delay interval while the timer is running, the timer will restart at the same repeatCount iteration.

Note: A delay lower than 20 milliseconds is not recommended. Timer frequency is limited to 60 frames per second, meaning a delay lower than 16.6 milliseconds causes runtime problems.



Implementation
    public function get delay():Number
    public function set delay(value:Number):void

Throws
Error — Throws an exception if the delay specified is negative or not a finite number.

repeatCount

property 
repeatCount:int

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

The total number of times the timer is set to run. If the repeat count is set to 0, the timer continues indefinitely, up to a maximum of 24.86 days, or until the stop() method is invoked or the program stops. If the repeat count is nonzero, the timer runs the specified number of times. If repeatCount is set to a total that is the same or less then currentCount the timer stops and will not fire again.



Implementation
    public function get repeatCount():int
    public function set repeatCount(value:int):void

running

property 
running:Boolean  [read-only]

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

The timer's current state; true if the timer is running, otherwise false.



Implementation
    public function get running():Boolean
Constructor Detail

Timer

()Constructor
public function Timer(delay:Number, repeatCount:int = 0)

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Constructs a new Timer object with the specified delay and repeatCount states.

The timer does not start automatically; you must call the start() method to start it.

Parameters
delay:Number — The delay between timer events, in milliseconds. A delay lower than 20 milliseconds is not recommended. Timer frequency is limited to 60 frames per second, meaning a delay lower than 16.6 milliseconds causes runtime problems.
 
repeatCount:int (default = 0) — Specifies the number of repetitions. If zero, the timer repeats indefinitely, up to a maximum of 24.86 days (int.MAX_VALUE + 1). If nonzero, the timer runs the specified number of times and then stops.

Throws
Error — if the delay specified is negative or not a finite number

Example  ( How to use this example )

In the following example, the user is given 90 seconds to enter a response in an input text field. Also, every 30 seconds, a status message lets the user know how many seconds are left.

A Timer object is created that starts in 30 seconds (delay is set to 30000 milliseconds) and repeats three times, for a total of 90 seconds. (The timer stops after the third time.)

Two event listeners are added for the myTimer timer. The first is triggered by the TimerEvent.TIMER event, which occurs every time the timer is started. The timerHandler() method changes the text for the statusTextField text field to reflect the seconds remaining.

Note: The Timer class keeps track of the number of times it has to start (repeats) by increasing the number in the currentCount property.)

After the timer is called for the last time, the TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE event is dispatched and the completeHandler() method is called. The completeHandler() method changes the type of the inputTextField text field from INPUT to DYNAMIC, which means the user can no longer enter or change text.

package {
    import flash.display.Sprite;
    import flash.text.TextField;
    import flash.text.TextFieldType;
    import flash.text.TextFieldAutoSize;
    import flash.utils.Timer;
    import flash.events.TimerEvent;
    import flash.events.Event;

    public class Timer_constructorExample extends Sprite {
            private var statusTextField:TextField = new TextField();        
            private var inputTextField:TextField = new TextField();
            private var delay:uint = 30000;
            private var repeat:uint = 3;
            private var myTimer:Timer = new Timer(delay, repeat);
            
        public function Timer_constructorExample() {
            inputTextField.x = 10;
            inputTextField.y = 10;
            inputTextField.border = true;
            inputTextField.background = true;
            inputTextField.height = 200;
            inputTextField.width = 200;
            inputTextField.multiline = true;
            inputTextField.wordWrap = true;
            inputTextField.type = TextFieldType.INPUT;

            statusTextField.x = 10;
            statusTextField.y = 220;
            statusTextField.background = true;
            statusTextField.autoSize = TextFieldAutoSize.LEFT;   

            myTimer.start(); 
            statusTextField.text = "You have " + ((delay * repeat) / 1000) 
                                 + " seconds to enter your response.";

            myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, timerHandler);
            myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, completeHandler);

            addChild(inputTextField);
            addChild(statusTextField);
        }

        private function timerHandler(e:TimerEvent):void{
            repeat--;
            statusTextField.text = ((delay * repeat) / 1000) + " seconds left.";
        }

        private function completeHandler(e:TimerEvent):void {
            statusTextField.text = "Times Up.";
            inputTextField.type = TextFieldType.DYNAMIC;    
        }
    }
}
Method Detail

reset

()method
public function reset():void

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Stops the timer, if it is running, and sets the currentCount property back to 0, like the reset button of a stopwatch. Then, when start() is called, the timer instance runs for the specified number of repetitions, as set by the repeatCount value.

Related API Elements

start

()method 
public function start():void

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Starts the timer, if it is not already running.

stop

()method 
public function stop():void

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Stops the timer. When start() is called after stop(), the timer instance runs for the remaining number of repetitions, as set by the repeatCount property.

Related API Elements

Event Detail

timer

Event
Event Object Type: flash.events.TimerEvent
property TimerEvent.type = flash.events.TimerEvent.TIMER

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Dispatched whenever a Timer object reaches an interval specified according to the Timer.delay property.

Defines the value of the type property of a timer event object.

This event has the following properties:

PropertyValue
bubblesfalse
cancelablefalse; there is no default behavior to cancel.
currentTargetThe object that is actively processing the Event object with an event listener.
targetThe Timer object that has reached its interval.

timerComplete

Event  
Event Object Type: flash.events.TimerEvent
property TimerEvent.type = flash.events.TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE

Language Version: ActionScript 3.0
Runtime Versions: AIR 1.0, Flash Player 9, Flash Lite 4

Dispatched whenever it has completed the number of requests set by Timer.repeatCount.

Defines the value of the type property of a timerComplete event object.

This event has the following properties:

PropertyValue
bubblesfalse
cancelablefalse; there is no default behavior to cancel.
currentTargetThe object that is actively processing the Event object with an event listener.
targetThe Timer object that has completed its requests.
TimerExample.as

The following example uses the class TimerExample to show how a listener method timerHandler() can be set to listen for a new TimerEvent to be dispatched. The timer is started when start() is called, and after that point, the timer events are dispatched.
package {
    import flash.utils.Timer;
    import flash.events.TimerEvent;
    import flash.display.Sprite;

    public class TimerExample extends Sprite {

        public function TimerExample() {
            var myTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000, 2);
            myTimer.addEventListener("timer", timerHandler);
            myTimer.start();
        }

        public function timerHandler(event:TimerEvent):void {
            trace("timerHandler: " + event);
        }
    }
}